Is Trump conservative?

#325

My Dear Friend of Democracy,

Some people think what Donald Trump is doing isn‘t all that bad. I know some myself. They live primarily in the USA. They are, unsurprisingly, rather conservative. They want less migration, fewer gender topics, and actually less of pretty much everything.

Instead more of the past. They say what they love about Trump is that he delivers, unlike other politicians. He's keeping his promises during the election campaign: more deportations, less queer culture, and less government, they say. That people like me disapprove of that, my acquaintances also say, is hardly surprising. But labelling Trump an enemy of democracy would just be a calculable attempt to delegitimize his policies.

I've thought about it.

I've rejected the argument. It is simply not true. Trump doesn't pursue conservative policies. Conservative policies don't mean lying. They don't mean defaming. They don't mean threatening. Trump doesn't pursue conservative policies. What Trump does becomes apparent when you abstract from his political content. If you don't consider whether a measure is conservative or progressive, then you notice that Trump's actions almost always aim to expand his power. In culture, in government, and in the judiciary.

The powerful want to make themselves more powerful.

What examples in the history of democracies are there where the accumulation of power by those in power has led to a better democracy? To a democracy where the rule of law has been strengthened, and opportunities for all people have been improved?

I can't think of any examples.

But I can think of quite a few where the opposite has been the case. Where the concentration of power has damaged democracy. Sometimes, democracy has subsequently been abolished altogether.

I therefore believe it is precisely the opposite: The conservatives who are still cheering because "their policies" are finally being implemented are blind to the damage that Trump and his allies are causing in the US and beyond. They don't want to be denied their victory. They will be the last to realize it was a defeat for them, too.

See you in Democracy,

Johannes Eber