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Brian To

Professor William Nichols

Senior Seminar

12 December 2017

The Rise of Trumpism

“Trumpism” is a relatively new word that has come to popular usage after the 2016

elections of president Donald Trump. Many would say that this event itself was not only a big

turning point for domestic politics in the U.S. but also a signaling of change in the international

spectrum. Never before has an American businessman, who has zero to no political experience,

won the seat of the presidency.

After gaining office, president Trump has made quite a few controversial remarks and

moves. Most recently of which, is the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, an

action that was fiercely condemned by the rest of the Western and Arab world, especially those

who support Palestine and the two state solution. Policies like these, ones that support building

walls, nationalism, and ,“Making America great again.” have been key characteristics of

Trump’s presidency.

Democracy, the Liberal world, and the Western hegemony are all scratching their heads

wondering how did a person like Donald Trump get elected? Was this occurrence an accident of

history or something that has been brewing, a symptom of many factors—a symptom of

something larger? This paper will focus on what Trumpism is and what led to it.
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WHAT IS TRUMPISM?

According to the Collins Dictionary, Trumpism is “the policies advocated by Donald

Trump, especially those involving a rejection of the current political establishment and the

vigorous pursuit of American national interests.”. Experts from liberal media sources like the

Guardian purport that Trumpism’s two characteristics are White nationalism and populism, while

others from the conservative area claim that it has features of traditionalism, populism, and

nationalism (Tarnoff, Ben);(Davis Hanson, Victor).

Because of its relatively new status and the enigma that is Trump himself, it is difficult

to pin down the meaning of Trumpism to anyone one defining term, therefore it might be easier

to define Trumpism in terms of what it is against. Much akin to what Conservatism is, a rejection

of liberal ideas, and change, a desire to return to traditional values; Trumpism is most certainly in

the conservative political spectrum. However, many would argue that even in the conservative

party trumpism is nothing like they have ever seen before (Tarnoff, Ben).

Trump’s rallying cry against the elites and his appeal to the common working classes, for

those who lost their manufacturing jobs, the small business owners, and middle class puts him

under populism as well. Trump did not only barrage his democratic opponents on the left but

criticize republicans as well, anyone that was in government as part of the “elite” was not left

unscathed by his remarks. In fact, some of his voter base finds this unrelenting, uncensored type

of criticism appealing because it shows authenticity. Therefore, although Trump is in the

conservative spectrum and espouses traditional values, he also criticized wall street, the banks,

and political elites that stand to benefit from their positions . And oddly enough, despite the fact

that Trump himself comes from a wealthy and well connected background, his appeal to the
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“average joe” and working class against the elites is a strong reason why he won the election

(Davis Hanson, Victor) .

Lastly, on the topic of White nationalism, and “Making America great again” the rhetoric

that Trump produces is inherently an appeal for people who are against immigration, and prefer

protectionist policies that ensure the strength and security of America. Contentions like the

failure to control the border, illegal immigrants taking away jobs, and unfavorable trade

agreements that disenfranchise domestic manufacturing jobs are all essential characteristics to

Trumpism. In addition, isolationism and the idea that America should not be fighting wars for

other countries is a meaningful part of Trump’s rhetoric (Bresler, Robert J.).

Overall, Trumpism is an entirely different political ideology from its predecessors, it is

neither traditionally conservative nor liberal. It contains notes of traditionalism, populism, White

nationalism, protectionism, and isolationism. Regardless, this new ideological movement is

something that not only surprised the liberal world, but ushers in an uncertain future for America

and the international community.

FACTORS THAT LED TO TRUMPISM

Domestically, Trumpism was able to come to life because of the general discontent

amongst the shrinking middle and impoverished working class in America. Looking back

towards the 1960’s the Republican voter base was a majority, white, middle class, small business

owners and generally older in age. Following the Bush, and Obama bailouts of banks, corporate

entities, and the auto industry, the formation of the “Tea Party” came about and symbolized the

radicalization of a section of the Republican party. Now that the Republican party was split into
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the the radical Tea Party and Capitalists, it gave way for the ascension of Donald Trump (Post,

Charles) .

Those that lost their manufacturing jobs from NAFTA were bitter at the government for

their role in negotiating the deal. To compound on this, the middle class is fearful of losing their

status and moving down the economic ladder. Individuals who believe they are hard works,

player by the rules, and don’t take government handouts but are constantly falling behind

socially and economically are the ones that are supporting Trump (Hochschild, Arlie Russell).

Globally on the other hand, Edward Luce, author of “The Retreat of Western Liberalism”

argues that all across the Western world that middle class people everywhere are being left

behind due to the pressures of globalization and its effects. The rise of China and the

development of technology further exacerbates the loss of jobs due to automation as well. In

addition, with all of these factors squeezing the middle class the “strongest glue” of democracy,

economic growth, is being threatened resulting in loss of faith in democracy.

In summary, the rise of Trumpism was due to a variety of factors, the split in the

republican party, growing resentment amongst the middle class, and global factors that put

pressure and shrink the middle class (Luce, Edward).

The election of Trump is the signaling of a general trend of globalization that is ever

present throughout history. As countries become more and more interdependent with one another

and fall into a pattern of growing closer and retreating their relationships, we are left to predict

what the future will be like in a era where there is no more U.S. hegemony and the weakening of

liberalism.
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Works Cited

Bresler, Robert J. “Trump and Trumpism.” ​USA Today (Magazine)​, vol. 144, no. 2846,

2015, p. 13.

Davis Hanson, Victor. "What Exactly Is Trumpism?." National Review, 2017,

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443667/trumpism-what-it-tradition-populism-american-gr

eatness-starters.

Luce, Edward. The Retreat Of Western Liberalism. New York, Atlantic Monthly Press, 2017,.

Post, Charles. "The Roots Of Trumpism." Cultural Dynamics, vol 29, no. 1-2, 2017, SAGE

Journals, doi:10.1177/0921374017709229.

Tarnoff, Ben. "The Triumph Of Trumpism: The New Politics That Is Here To Stay." The

Guardian, 2016,

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/09/us-election-political-movement-trumpism.

"Trumpism Definition And Meaning | Collins English Dictionary." Collinsdictionary.Com, 2017,

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/trumpism.

Hochschild, Arlie Russell. Strangers in their own land: Anger and mourning on the American

right. New Press, The, 2016.