Introduction
Populist leaders, driven by slogans like “transformation” or “Make America Great Again,” leave a trail of sudden and profound damages reminiscent of hurricanes, which may take generations to reverse. One of the most severe consequences is social polarization, as citizens devote themselves to these leaders in search of miracles without comprehending the repercussions.
The Pursuit of Power and Impunity
These leaders primarily seek power, a dominant and unrestricted authority that shields them from limitations. They then establish a protective cloak, an impunity guarantee, supported by their followers.
Mexico and the United States are both experiencing this phenomenon. The tolerance for authoritarian, antidemocratic, and even criminal acts by those in power no longer startles broad social sectors that justify these actions or the minorities brave enough to denounce them are insulted or persecuted.
Mexico has progressed further in the scope of an authoritarian regime, institutionalizing control over all powers around a single command in less than a week. Meanwhile, the United States is challenging its own limits and leaving behind some of the values that once distinguished it as a global power.
Erosion of American Values
The United States is not an infallible economy anymore, offering no guarantees of legal stability and certainty to investments. Its notorious intolerance for crime now has exceptions at the presidential level.
In just four months of his second term, Donald Trump’s radical and populist shift has devastated these and other values. Last week alone, he demonstrated two alarming aspects of his power conviction: the belief that he can order a killing on New York’s 5th Avenue without consequences and that his absurd or eccentric directives will still be followed because he can.
His continuation of tariff punishments against Apple and the European Union, despite evidence of the deep internal damage they cause, showcases his ability to dictate terms due to his position of power.
The restriction on foreign student enrollment at Harvard echoes the national socialist tendencies of the interwar period. Moreover, Trump’s challenge to laws—accepting a $400 million Qatari jet and using his presidential position to promote personal crypto asset businesses—exemplifies a blatant disregard for legality.
A Pattern of Disobedience and Illegality
Trump’s four months in office have been marked by consistent acts of disobedience and illegality, including deploying the military for migration tasks, defying judicial orders on deportations, restricting constitutional birthright citizenship, and violating international agreements. The list of such actions is already extensive.
The indifference, ineptitude, or helplessness in controlling these power abuses may lead to consequences whose depth and permanence we cannot yet fully comprehend in either Mexico or the United States.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue discussed in this article? The article addresses the indifference or ineptitude in dealing with authoritarianism fostered by populist leaders, using examples from Mexico and the United States.
- Who are these populist leaders? The article primarily focuses on Donald Trump in the United States, though it also mentions trends in Mexico.
- What specific actions by these leaders are highlighted? The article discusses Trump’s pursuit of power, disregard for laws, and the erosion of American values during his second term.
- How do these actions affect society? These leaders’ actions contribute to social polarization, erode democratic norms, and may have long-lasting consequences that are yet to be fully understood.
