The Former President's Policies Constitute a Risk to Civilized Society.
His internal and external initiatives – from the effort to overturn the election in the past to current actions and warnings – erode both domestic and international law. But that’s not all.
They threaten the core idea of what we mean by.
The guiding principle of a functioning society is to prevent the dominant from preying upon and using the less powerful. Failing that, we would be locked in a state of nature where might makes right could survive.
This ideal is embedded of America’s founding documents. It’s also the core of the postwar international order supported by the US, which stresses multilateralism, democratic governance, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
But, it is a delicate principle, often broken by those who would exploit their influence. Upholding it necessitates that the powerful have enough integrity to avoid seeking immediate gains, and that society demand responsibility when they fail.
Absolute power is not right. It makes for turmoil, upheaval, and hostilities.
Each instance individuals, companies, or nations that are wealthier and stronger prey upon those that are not, the structure of our shared norms frays. Should such behavior are not contained, the system fails. If not stopped, the world can descend into disorder and conflict. We have seen this pattern previously.
Our current reality is a international landscape grown vastly more unequal. Political and economic power are held by fewer hands than ever before. This invites the privileged to leverage their position against the weaker because they act with a sense of omnipotent.
The wealth of a small group of tycoons is difficult to fathom. The power of big tech, big oil, and large defense contractors extends over a vast portion of the world. Advanced technology is could further concentrate resources and influence to a greater degree. The destructive power of the leading countries is unprecedented in human history.
Empowered by political allies and an accommodating high court, the presidency has been transformed into the most powerful and unaccountable instrument of the state in recent memory.
Put it all together and you perceive the danger.
A direct line ties previous breaches of norms to present-day menaces. Both were based on the arrogance of omnipotence.
One observes parallel dynamics in the actions of other powers: in wars of aggression, in strategic threats, and in the global depredation by industrial titans.
But, unfettered might does not make right. It fosters fragility, upended order, and armed conflict.
Historical evidence demonstrates that laws and norms to limit the influential also safeguard them. If these guardrails are removed, their endless appetite for more power and wealth in time cause their collapse – taking down their enterprises, countries, or domains. And threaten global conflict.
This kind of lawlessness will haunt international stability – and the very idea of civilization – for years to come.
