The Monarchy of Fear

   Fear was the driving force behind Donald Trump's rise to power. This is a take on the 2016 elections that shook many pundits, commentators, philosophers, and casual observers. A body of publications attempted to analyze this choice and focused on specific demographic and social classes supporting Trump in stronghold states for Republicans. However, Nussbaum applies another approach that cuts deeper into the matter by investigating the cause and effect behind this election. This is a philosophical approach to the pertinent subject with heavy connections with social psychology. The toxic brew of misogyny, envy, and fearful anger threatens democracy and its related values. 

   The major hurdle in this philosopher's job is to recognize the unruly emotions and bring them into the fold. The book studies the interconnected emotions of anger, envy, hatred, disgust, sexism, and misogyny and their ramifications on current social affairs in the US. The book describes globalization as one factor bringing about a sense of helplessness and marginalization to a group of citizens. This negative feeling of abandonment eventually transforms into resentment and blame. 

   One aspect of this book is the idea of us "human beings" as a species being vulnerable in our existential terrain, which causes fear as an inherent emotion. If left unattended, this primal feeling can develop into a corrosive agent with monarchial traits controlling various domains of our behavior. Society tends to scapegoat those who are unpopular. In her own words "monarchs feed on fear" "Fearful people run for protection and care, they turn to strong absolute rulers, ... in democracy by contrast we must look one another in the eye, as equals". This horizontal trust is the firm foundation of democracy.

   Amidst disturbing news and divisive rhetoric readily heard and widespread rapidly, reading "Monarchy of Fear" provides a soothing perspective, a timely respite in an onslaught of tribalism and hateful polarization. The ideas of building secluded empires, and hostile policies toward outsiders are alarmingly gaining traction. These may be symptoms of a world marching to a different beat than what Nussbaum describes as our healthy social construct. A lot of the "us versus them" mentality has been propagated by those claiming to be progressive and abiding by human rights. A large portion of stigma is generated by apathy and lack of feeling of any association. 

   Aligned with the unwavering idealism in the book, the proposed solutions look unfashionable and far-fetched: an obligatory three-year service for the American youth and integration of the public school system.  

   Now, at the cusp of a new Cold War era, this anthology on fear is relevant more than ever. The omnipresent vibe of hope and optimism is felt throughout the book with the author vigilantly addressing the issue but not consigning to the doom-and-gloom siege mentality ruled by fear. Quite the opposite, she manages to stay balanced and fair-minded.

2020 Election: Populism and Manistream

 Now that the US election is drawing to a close, it is a good time to reflect on the results. And from my personal standpoint there a few interesting points. 

The populism and the affinity to it is one standout, still noticeable in 2020. This election was not meant to end populism. Nor did we expect that in a foreseeable future in America or elsewhere. In countries such as Hungary, Brazil, and the Philippines, the populists are at the helm, and in many others (Germany, Italy, and Italy) they have control over parts of the opposition. The paradoxical approach of Trump to power is indicative of a lack of principles in the populistic figure. He was running a campaign based on anti-establishment agenda despite having 4 yours of the undisputed authority to restructure the establishment. 

The premature claim of victory in the election revealed the president's attitude toward the democratic process and I am afraid to say a long-lasting narrative for die-hard hardliners to hold on to an election stolen from him.  An arbitrary early end to ballot counting was a brazen act yet the inherently populist idea that only a specific group of voters are "real people" and deserve to have their voice heard. The attitude was warmly supported by European equivalents from Germany to Slovenia (Slovenian PM was the first to prematurely congratulate Trump.)

On the flip side, the system is still working and that is a soothing signal for people looking nervously at the state of democracy during the 2020 election. However, with or without  Trumpism is there, formless and morphing from one form to another. Defeating the incumbent president is not unprecedented but a rare incident. 

More than 70 million voters cast their ballots for Trump. From their standpoint, the populist approach to power and the promise were convincing. In four years, they could be swayed by the same agenda once again.