The majority of self-proclaimed American thinkers and analysts have been insisting since 2016 that Donald Trump is not a true representative of American culture. He is a very selfish and a greedy man. Does not respect women. Makes fun of science. The United States, under his leadership, is seen by the world as a ridiculous country.
The November 2020 election, however, proves that Trump is not just an individual. In the hearts of the American people, and especially the white majority, Trump is a true representation of racial prejudices. However, the fact that he received a staggering number of “popular votes” in 2020 compared to 2016 cannot be ignored.
Trump’s political opponents believed that the representatives of Republican Party would also be wiped out during the presidential election. The Democrats would win an absolute majority in both houses of the United States Congress. It will also allow Biden to run a “stable government”. However, this did not happen. Even if Biden reached the White House due to the protracted legal battle and the force of street protests, he would have to face serious legislative difficulties.
Before writing this column, I listened to one of Joe Biden’s latest speeches. He was humbly and modestly mentioned the “solid possibility” of his victory and acknowledged the difficulties that will follow. The real strength of Biden, in my opinion, was the impression that this highly experienced “old-man” in government affairs would reach the White House and, like a tolerant elder in the family, would send a message of co-existence with the political rivals. Will focus on key issues of “governance” rather than provoking further through angry tweets.
Biden should provide a healing touch to ease the alarming divisions that the blind hatred and bigotry have created in American society. Social media has played a vital role in intensifying blind hatred and bigotry. We express our views through Twitter or Facebook. If these ideas receive a hefty chunk of “Likes and Shares”, then we get the impression that the vast majority of people think the same way as us.
We begin to unfollow people who think differently from us. In doing so, we forget the fact that their ideas too, have a particular fan base. Unfollowing doesn’t eliminate these ideas. Even a group of those who agree with them remain active in their place in effective numbers. In order to overcome the severity of blind hatred and divisiveness, it is important that we get in the habit of listening respectfully to those who think differently from us. This is how dialogue becomes possible. Populists like Trump succeed in seizing power because they brazenly embrace the prejudices that dominate their society.
Our so-called “literate” minds are always unable to see the severity of these prejudices. That’s why when people like Trump arrive at the White House, we are shocked. In most countries of the world, not just the United States, “educated” people have become a “tribe” of their own who play a key role in the policy-making of governments. In a way this discrimination is just like “Brahman” and “Shudras” (laborers and service providers). However, today’s Shudra is hell-bent on not accepting that he is helpless.
Governments, however, are completely oblivious to their needs and priorities. This negligence ignites a wave of grief and anger in the hearts of the majority. Politicians like Trump ignite this fire further by putting the blame on the deep state.
This is the scenario in Pakistan with reference to Imran Khan. He came to power referring to “corruption” as the main problem of this country. The other issues too remain in their place. In many respects, these problems have become more serious. Under the veil of political slogans such as “fighting against the mafia” the government is now hiding their callous governance weaknesses. Trump had similar complaints against the Deep State. He could not realize that the demands of the modern times have weakened the Deep State. The state can no longer impose its discourse on the citizens thanks to the social media. The mobile phone in your hand delivers to you very quickly every “news” that the rulers are dead-set to hide.
The menace that emerged in the shape of CoronaVirus in early 2020, has also played a pivotal role in this regard. In just a few months, it proved that public health management that was established in the name of protecting people from diseases is rotten and obsolete. Owing to their latest and most modern weapons, the United States, regarded as the world’s only superpower, proved to be the castle of cards in front of the virus. In battling the disease, the USA adopted a lockdown strategy that further revealed the bitter class division between the rich and poor.
It was proved that the administrative structure created in the name of ensuring equality among the citizens is not able to cope with the present requirements. In order to ensure the welfare of the people, new administrative structures have to be introduced in any case. Biden will only have to focus on that fact once he gets to the White House. Otherwise, divisions based on blind hatred and bigotry will intensify to an alarming extent, resulting in extremely disturbing forms of anarchy not only in the United States but also in many other parts of the world.
