From MAGA to Eternity
Examining Sado-Populism and Eternity Politics in Trump's Second Presidency
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has reignited discussions about the nature of populism and its impact on democratic institutions. Donald Trump's return to power after a controversial first term raises important questions about the resilience of American democracy and the appeal of what Yale historian Timothy Snyder terms ‘sado-populism’ and the ‘politics of eternity’ (Snyder, 2018). This article examines how these concepts manifest in Trump's rhetoric and policy proposals, with a particular focus on Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative policy blueprint for his second term.
Understanding Sado-Populism
Sado-populism, as defined by Snyder, is a form of populism where leaders implement policies that harm their supporters rather than help them. This paradoxical approach operates on several key principles:
1 Deliberate infliction of pain: Policies are designed to increase anxiety, fear, and economic hardship among supporters.
2 Redirection of suffering: The pain experienced by supporters is channelled into anger against scapegoats or outgroups.
3 Pain as a political resource: Leaders use the resulting anger and resentment as a tool to maintain power and suppress opposition.
Crucially, sado-populists often lack a clear succession principle. They tend to view themselves as indispensable to their movement, potentially leading to efforts to undermine democratic processes and extend their rule indefinitely.
Trump's approach to governance often aligns with this framework. For instance, his 2017 tax cuts primarily benefited the wealthy while potentially harming working-class supporters. According to the Tax Policy Center (2017), by 2027, 82.8% of the tax cuts will go to the top 1% of earners, while taxes for the bottom 60% of Americans will actually increase.
The Politics of Inevitability vs. The Politics of Eternity: Snyder's Contrasting Worldviews
Timothy Snyder introduces two fundamental political worldviews that shape how societies perceive their past, present, and future: the ‘politics of inevitability’ and the ‘politics of eternity’ (Snyder, 2018). These concepts are crucial for understanding the current political landscape and the rise of populist movements.
The Politics of Inevitability
The politics of inevitability, as described by Snyder, shares similarities with Francis Fukuyama's influential 1992 book The End of History and the Last Man. Fukuyama argued that with the fall of communism, Western liberal democracy had emerged as the final form of human government, representing the endpoint of humanity's sociocultural evolution (Fukuyama, 1992).
This worldview is characterized by:
1 A belief in continuous progress and a better future for everyone
2 An assumption that the laws of progress are known and there are no real alternatives
3 A sense that the future is just more of the present
4 In the American context, a belief that capitalism naturally leads to democracy and happiness
5 In the European context, a belief that nations learned from war to choose cooperation and prosperity
Fukuyama's thesis posited that liberal democracy, coupled with a market economy, had proven to be fundamentally superior to alternative systems. He argued that while events would continue to occur, liberal democracy would become increasingly prevalent globally over time.
This view gained strength after the fall of communism, seen as confirming the capitalist/democratic model. It aligned with the ‘end of history’ concept, suggesting that major ideological battles had been settled in favour of Western liberal democracy.
However, Snyder argues that this worldview can be disrupted by major events or crises, such as financial collapses or terrorist attacks. Unlike Fukuyama's more optimistic outlook, Snyder sees the politics of inevitability as vulnerable to disillusionment, potentially giving way to the politics of eternity when faith in progress is shaken.
The contrast between Fukuyama's ‘end of history’ and Snyder's ‘politics of inevitability’ highlights the evolving understanding of global political trends since the end of the Cold War. While Fukuyama saw liberal democracy as the final destination, Snyder warns of potential regression into more cyclical, grievance-based political narratives - a shift exemplified by his rise and then landslide re-election.
The Transition to Eternity Politics
As faith in progress fades, society undergoes a transformation characterized by disillusionment with the state's ability to address problems effectively. Citizens lose confidence in government institutions, viewing them as inefficient or corrupt. Simultaneously, there's an erosion of personal and collective responsibility for shaping the future, leading to a retreat from civic engagement.
This vacuum creates an opening for leaders offering simple, often authoritarian solutions. The focus shifts from looking forward to a better future to fixating on past grievances and perceived threats, both internal and external.
The Politics of Eternity
The politics of eternity, as described by Snyder, presents a stark contrast to the politics of inevitability. This worldview is characterized by:
1 A cyclical view of history focused on past grievances and threats
2 Rejection of democratic pluralism in favour of a single, "true" narrative
3 Emphasis on a mythologized past rather than a better future
4 Manufactured crises and spectacles rather than substantive policy solutions
5 Strong focus on external threats and the idea of "innocent people of the nation" under constant assault
6 Often associated with authoritarian or fascist tendencies
Snyder argues that this approach has been fully embraced by Russia under Putin's leadership. He posits that Russia is "locked into a permanent cycle of eternity, nursing its grievances and even manufacturing crises to be able to manipulate the resultant emotion" (E-International Relations, 2019).
This worldview gained traction in the wake of disillusionment with the promises of inevitability politics. It offers a comforting narrative of return to past greatness and clear enemies to blame for current problems. Leaders operating within this framework often manufacture crises and spectacles rather than offering substantive policy solutions.
Trump's ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan exemplifies this concept, focusing on a return to an idealized past rather than proposing solutions for the future. This aligns closely with Project 2025's emphasis on "restoring the family as the centerpiece of American life" and "defending the nation's sovereignty and borders" (Heritage Foundation, 2022).
Project 2025: A Blueprint for Sado-Populism and Eternity Politics
Project 2025, developed by the Heritage Foundation (2022), provides a comprehensive policy blueprint for Trump's second term. Here, we'll focus on how specific proposals in Project 2025 align with the concepts of sado-populism and the politics of eternity.
Project 2025 contains several policies that could potentially harm Trump's supporters. These include eliminating the Department of Education and cutting federal education funding, which could reduce educational opportunities, for example, in rural areas where Trump has strong support. Proposed changes to overtime rules could weaken protections and decrease overtime pay for some workers. Additionally, simplifying individual income taxes to two flat tax rates (15% and 30%) could increase taxes for many low- and middle-income households.
The project also engages in scapegoating and division. It proposes ‘the largest deportation program in American history,’ targeting immigrants, and seeks to eliminate terms like "sexual orientation" and "gender equality" from federal regulations, potentially marginalizing LGBTQ+ communities.
Emotional manipulation is another key aspect of the project. It frames climate change research and environmental protections as threats to economic prosperity and proposes to ban pornography and shut down companies allowing access to it, playing on moral panic.
Trump and the Politics of Eternity in Project 2025
Project 2025 exhibits several characteristics of eternity politics. It maintains an emphasis on ‘Make America Great Again,’ focusing on a mythologized past. It frames China as an enemy of the US - in a similar vein to Cold War USSR - perpetuating a narrative of constant external threats.
The project also rejects democratic pluralism in several ways. It proposes to place independent agencies like the Department of Justice under direct presidential control, challenging the separation of powers. It also suggests eliminating job protections for thousands of government employees to be replaced by political appointees, undermining non-partisan civil service.
Manufactured crises are another hallmark of eternity politics present in Project 2025. The project continues to propagate false narratives about election fraud despite lack of evidence and frames diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as a ‘woke’ crisis that needs addressing.
Finally, the project emphasizes spectacle over policy solutions. Its focus on building a border wall and mass deportations offers simplistic solutions to complex immigration issues, while the proposal to ban pornography is more about moral grandstanding than addressing underlying social issues.
Conclusion
The concepts of sado-populism and eternity politics provide valuable frameworks for understanding the appeal and potential consequences of Trump's political approach, especially within the context of Project 2025. As America enters a new phase under Trump's second term, the implementation of these concepts through policy proposals raises significant questions about the future direction of American governance and society.
Project 2025 serves as a blueprint showing how sado-populist and eternity politics concepts might be implemented practically, often prioritizing ideological purity and emotional appeal over pragmatic solutions to complex issues. The alignment between these proposals and Trump's rhetoric suggests a potential shift in American political discourse and policy-making that warrants close examination.
Scholars, policymakers, and citizens alike must remain vigilant in monitoring and analyzing these developments. While populist movements often arise from legitimate grievances, the solutions proposed by sado-populist leaders and eternity politics can pose risks to democratic norms and institutions. The challenge lies in addressing these grievances while preserving the core values and institutions that have long been central to American democracy.
As we move forward, it will be crucial to continue studying and debating the implications of these political trends, not only for the United States but for democratic societies worldwide. The rise of sado-populism and the politics of eternity represents a significant shift in political thinking, one that demands our attention and critical analysis.
References
AP News, 2023. Trump's 2024 campaign and Project 2025.
CBS News, 2023. Hundreds of proposals found within Project 2025 match Trump's policies.
E-International Relations, 2019. Review – The Road to Unfreedom. Available at: https://www.e-ir.info/2019/01/30/review-the-road-to-unfreedom/ [Accessed 7 November 2024].
Fukuyama, F., 1992. The End of History and the Last Man. New York: Free Press.
Heritage Foundation, 2022. Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise.
Snyder, T., 2018. The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America. New York: Crown/Archetype.
Tax Policy Center, 2017. Distributional Analysis surrounding Conference Agreement tied into Tax Cuts alongside Jobs Act.