In brief
The aftermath of the Cold War has left a legacy of confusion and discontent that has contributed to the rise of populist figures like Donald Trump, as people seek strong leadership in a fractured world.
As the Cold War neared its conclusion nearly four decades ago, a leading advisor to Soviet reformist Mikhail S. Gorbachev issued a dire warning to the West: “we are going to do the most terrible thing to you. We are going to deprive you of an enemy.” The eventual celebrations heralding the triumph of Western liberal democracy often overlooked the disorientation that would accompany the dissolution of a clear-cut binary world characterized by good versus evil.Fast forward to today, and the triumph of democracy in newly liberated societies has manifested more as divisive global capitalism. In this climate, social fractures have deepened, communal truths have eroded, and the hopes of many have withered in the wake of technological advancement. As a result, people have increasingly sought the reassurances of authoritative leadership in an unpredictable world. Nicole Bacharan, a renowned French political scientist, captures this sentiment: “In the absence of a shared reality, or shared facts, or a shared threat, reason had no weight beside emotion.” This emotional tug has paved the path for a longing for the strongman, and a clear enemy by which to define society.What was once perceived as a partnership between a reformed Russia and the West has deteriorated back into hostility. By the time of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, widespread disenchantment with Western liberalism had surged. Vladimir Putin's criticisms of Western "decadence" found resonance with rising far-right nationalist factions across Europe and the United States. While Western allies remain resolute in their support for Ukrainian democracy, the strength of this commitment has begun to falter.The surprising comeback and election of Donald J. Trump serve as the culmination of a longstanding rebellion against the conventional political order. No amount of warnings regarding the fragility of democracy, nor references to historical catastrophes by Trump's appeal toward authoritarian regimes, could stem this growing tide. A recalibration of political ideologies continues as people navigate through a world that seems to offer more uncertainty than solace.
