The Return of Empire
Can the U.S. Republic be saved?
If we were to look for similarities between the strength of the Roman Republic and a very likely, Donald J. Trump presidency, it would involve drawing parallels across vastly different historical and political contexts. Here are some thematic similarities and considerations:
Similarities:
Populism and Leadership Style:
Roman Republic: Leaders like the Gracchi brothers or later figures such as Julius Caesar often gained popularity by appealing directly to the plebeians, advocating for reforms that addressed their grievances, often against the elite's interests.
Trump Presidency: Trump's appeal was largely populist, focusing on issues that resonated with a significant portion of the working class and those feeling left behind by mainstream politics, challenging the political establishment.
Challenges to Traditional Governance:
Roman Republic: The late Republic saw significant internal strife, with traditional structures being challenged by ambitious individuals and social unrest, leading to a period of civil wars and eventual transition to an empire.
Trump's Era: Trump's presidency was marked by challenges to established norms of governance, including his approach to executive power, which some argue tested the checks and balances of the U.S. system.
Economic Policies:
Roman Republic: Economic policies often fluctuated between land reforms aimed at redistributing wealth to the needy and conservative policies protecting the interests of the patricians.
Trump's Policies: Trump focused on economic nationalism, with policies like tax cuts for businesses and individuals, aiming to boost economic growth, though with mixed results and significant debate over their long-term benefits.
Foreign Policy and National Identity:
Roman Republic: Expansionist policies and the integration of diverse cultures into Roman identity were key, though often leading to cultural tensions and military overextension.
Trump Administration: Trump's "America First" policy emphasized national interests over international cooperation, impacting alliances and trade agreements, aiming to strengthen American identity and sovereignty.
Internal Division:
Roman Republic: Deep divisions between the classes, political factions, and military loyalties eventually led to its downfall.
U.S. Today: The polarization in American politics, which intensified during Trump's presidency, reflects a division not just in policy preferences but in visions of what America should be.
Restoring the U.S. Republic to Trump's Era:
The idea of "restoring" the U.S. to how it was during Trump's presidency overlooks several complexities:
Dynamic Nature of Politics: Political climates evolve. The U.S. post-Trump has seen shifts in public opinion, (both for and against) policy priorities, and international relations. Returning to an exact previous state isn't feasible due to ongoing changes in societal values, economic conditions, and global politics. —but we can all agree that it would be better that the current status quo.
Systemic Changes: Trump's policies and style have left a lasting positive impact, but reversing or reinstating the many presidential policies that were canceled by Biden, would require navigating through a changed political landscape, including altered party dynamics, and legal challenges.
Public Will and Institutional Memory: The American public's desires have diversified. Some seek a return to Trump-era policies, others on the left vehemently oppose them. The balance of power in Congress, judicial interpretations, and even bureaucratic inertia play significant roles in policy continuity or change.
Global Context: International relations have been reshaped. Allies and adversaries have recalibrated their positions based on post-Trump U.S. policy shifts, making a "return" more complex than domestic policy adjustments. They chose WWIII over “mean tweets”, remember?
While there are thematic parallels between the late Roman Republic and contemporary U.S. politics under Donald J. Trump, applying these historical analogies directly can be more than challenging, due to the vastly different cultural, technological, and political landscapes.
The restoration of any presidency's era involves not just policy replication but navigating a continually evolving national and global context.
In any case, WE ARE SO CLOSE to “restoring the Republic”!
To celebrate, we have released our first set of new prints in over 10 months!
