US President Trump is building a new world order, one that is fundamentally different from the international system his predecessors have known. Underneath the bluster, Trump appears to be dead serious about shaking up the global economic landscape and imposing his vision on the rich and powerful.
The seeds of this shift were sown last month in Davos when Trump made clear that he was no longer content with simply being a part of the established order. His commerce secretary bluntly stated that Trump's presence marked the arrival of "capitalism's new sheriff in town." This is a man who doesn't shy away from using military or economic force to get what he wants, and his actions have sent shockwaves throughout the international community.
Trump's agenda is built on a fundamentally different understanding of how capitalism works. He has been pushing for an economy that is less beholden to market rules and more focused on direct state coercion and geopolitical competition. This approach is reminiscent of fascist economies from the past, where the fusion of state power with corporate monopolies was used to drive profit-making and advance nationalist interests.
The man at the helm of this shift may be unpredictable, but his vision is clear: a world in which international law gives way to the rule of the strong. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to the current global order, saying that it's unsustainable and that the US must take control of its own destiny.
But what's driving this shift? Many argue that Trump is primarily interested in enriching himself and his closest allies through state subsidies and public protection. Yet, there's something more at play here – a deep-seated fear that others will steal America's resources if it doesn't act first.
The stakes are high because Trump's rise represents a turning point for the global economy. It's an opportunity to move away from neoliberalism and towards a genuinely democratic form of economics that prioritizes public investment, democratic accountability, and economic sovereignty over corporate concentration and speculative finance.
This is what Western leaders must recognize – they can't beat fascist economics with neoliberalism. The only way forward is to limit access to US corporations in procurement contracts, refuse to cooperate on intellectual property rules, and regulate finance and technology. This would be a major blow to Trump's friends while also allowing countries to develop sovereign economic policies that put the needs of ordinary citizens first.
Trump's rise may be frightening, but it's also a symptom of deeper failures within the global economy. It's time for us to seize this moment and move towards a more democratic economy – one that hinders fascism and restores our environment.
The seeds of this shift were sown last month in Davos when Trump made clear that he was no longer content with simply being a part of the established order. His commerce secretary bluntly stated that Trump's presence marked the arrival of "capitalism's new sheriff in town." This is a man who doesn't shy away from using military or economic force to get what he wants, and his actions have sent shockwaves throughout the international community.
Trump's agenda is built on a fundamentally different understanding of how capitalism works. He has been pushing for an economy that is less beholden to market rules and more focused on direct state coercion and geopolitical competition. This approach is reminiscent of fascist economies from the past, where the fusion of state power with corporate monopolies was used to drive profit-making and advance nationalist interests.
The man at the helm of this shift may be unpredictable, but his vision is clear: a world in which international law gives way to the rule of the strong. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to the current global order, saying that it's unsustainable and that the US must take control of its own destiny.
But what's driving this shift? Many argue that Trump is primarily interested in enriching himself and his closest allies through state subsidies and public protection. Yet, there's something more at play here – a deep-seated fear that others will steal America's resources if it doesn't act first.
The stakes are high because Trump's rise represents a turning point for the global economy. It's an opportunity to move away from neoliberalism and towards a genuinely democratic form of economics that prioritizes public investment, democratic accountability, and economic sovereignty over corporate concentration and speculative finance.
This is what Western leaders must recognize – they can't beat fascist economics with neoliberalism. The only way forward is to limit access to US corporations in procurement contracts, refuse to cooperate on intellectual property rules, and regulate finance and technology. This would be a major blow to Trump's friends while also allowing countries to develop sovereign economic policies that put the needs of ordinary citizens first.
Trump's rise may be frightening, but it's also a symptom of deeper failures within the global economy. It's time for us to seize this moment and move towards a more democratic economy – one that hinders fascism and restores our environment.