The pundits say you should always back the horse called ‘self-interest’ in any race. Donald Trump franked this adage once again in the US Presidential contest over Kamala Harris. A convicted felon who mishandled a global pandemic appallingly, when he was last President, Donald Trump was re-elected to the White House. Trump had plenty to lose if he lost, in terms of numerous upcoming criminal trials and the very real prospect of going to jail. ‘The man was motivated,’ as they say on the street. Self-interest is trending in America. The Trump campaign stitched up every deal and sold every favour they possibly could. Elon Musk was literally jumping up and down for Trump.
Winning The Popular Contest In American Politics
Self-interest is trending in America and globally. Ordinary folk have been doing it tough thanks to inflation over the last 4 years. Voters are looking for someone and something to blame. Those with their head above the parapet are getting it blown off in acts of electoral retribution. Most voters are not deep thinkers and lash out at the incumbent. This, of course, ignores the reality of the time lag involved in policy initiatives and economic outcomes.
Inevitably, Negative Messaging Trumps Hopeful Positivity
Major political parties are coalitions of self-interest, where different groups come together under one banner to win office and consequently sort out their share of the executive mandate to govern. The Trump Republican party is a right wing mix of extreme reactionary conservatives, Christian Nationalists, oligarchs and corporate bosses, militias, and the MAGA faithful. The majority of Americans who voted last Tuesday did so, it seems, in support of this coalition over the progressive liberal vision of Kamala Harris and the Democratic party. Trump was relentlessly negative about the current state of America in contrast to a much more hopeful Harris and her messaging. The result of the election is there for all to see. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/11/donald-trump-legal-cases-charges/675531/
Supping On Self-Interest Politically
The thing about self-interest, in a cynical electorate, is that these folk know that they are likely to be ultimately disappointed in being rewarded. Instead they settle for assurances that other groups below them on the food chain won’t be getting fed either and maybe even starved worse than them. Cause in the self-interest stakes rich people stand so far at the head of the queue that daylight don’t even come into the picture. The inequality in the US is so advanced that the populace meekly accept it and reserve their energy for downward envy instead.
Keeping The Black Man & Woman Down
The relentless attacks on Black communities historically, both physically and economically, by the white majority are inescapable for anyone paying attention. Slavery in the south existed in one form or another for hundreds of years. It morphed from chattel to peonage via the Black Codes, whilst Jim Crow apartheid kept African Americans disenfranchised from power right across the nation. The lynchings and burnings brought global awareness to these acts of domestic terrorism enacted by the extreme elements of white America. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s’ culminated in some positive changes for African Americans but it did not magically address all wrongs and pave the way for an indelibly rosy future. The self-interest of the Black community was so far in negative growth that it would take generations of affirmative action to remedy it. This remains the case in the 21C.
The Fruits Of Victory & What Comes Next
In saying self-interest is trending in America, you could also say it has always been thus. The nation has an inexhaustible appetite, economically speaking. Much more is, seemingly, never enough. Elon Musk, as the richest man in the world – is he content with his lot? It does not look that way to me. You devote your life to self-aggrandisement, like Musk and Trump, and what does it get you? Perhaps, enough rope to hang yourself. It will be interesting to observe their fate following this most recent victory. If you look back at history the next term often has some nasty surprises for political leaders and leaders, more generally, in this set of circumstances. The wheel of fortune never stops turning and triumphs are invariably followed by downfalls. You stand at the pinnacle and don’t realise it is also the precipice.
Governing Much Harder Than Criticizing
Self-interest may be slapping itself on the back right now, celebrating its victory. But where will it take this mandate and how will it govern? Trump, in his first administration, was so enamoured at just becoming President that he found it frustrating that this is where the work really begins. Second time around it will not be so exciting and the world has wars in Ukraine and the Middle East raging. The politics of grievance plays much better in opposition rather than in government. It is easier to blame and bemoan from the bleachers than make the plays on the field. Making America great again will be a never ending project, I suspect. Trump fixing the border and the inflow of illegal immigrants? Rounding up millions of undocumented folk will unleash all sorts of outcomes for the country and the economy, quite apart from the misery it will bring to individual human beings.
Slicing & Dicing Self-Interest
Self-interest drove Trump and the American people identified with that motivation. Indeed, they shared his concern via their own self-interest. All the talk about saving democracy from the other side, from a weak woman, who took the place of a weak old man, was pie in the sky for these folk. You can’t eat democracy, cook it and feed it to your kids. Actually, I think they thought this liberal concern with democracy sounded expensive. Personally, I reckon they are wrong about this but for whatever reason they did not buy the message coming from the Democrats. More American voters were willing to elect a convicted felon as their President. It says a lot about American values in the 21C.
Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump.
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