For many, US President Donald Trump is a caricatured figure with his appearance, style and behavior. He is a profile that is often mocked and sometimes belittled rather than criticized due to his huge body, blond hair, sitting position, stance, pursed lips, command of slang, family relationships, etc. However, the reality is not like that at all. Trump is a transformative and cunning politician who can create much sharper effects than previous presidents in terms of US politics and world balances. The serious function of Trump's political stance in terms of US and world politics can be understood from the attacks directed at him from within the system.
He is the head of an established order that constantly reminds him that he will not be able to sit comfortably in the seat he was elected to. The fact that he is the target of image and reputation attacks spread through the mass media on the one hand, lawsuits carried out through the judicial system on the other, and most importantly, an assassination attempt as a last resort proves that he is a politician far beyond what is thought.
Apart from being a graduate of Wharton College (UPEN), one of America’s most elite business/economics schools, Trump’s less prominent feature is that he spent his high school years at the New York Military Academy. In other words, we are talking about a rebellious young man who received military training from the age of 13, throughout adolescence, when his personality traits became more apparent, and who always caused trouble.
Although he has problems with obeying authority, he knows very well what authority and discipline mean in terms of management. In fact, he tries to apply what he has learned in his political strategy by imitating it in practice. His demand for loyalty at home and obedience abroad, and his emphasis on greatness are indicators of his hierarchical perspective on the world.
However, he knows very well that the global system is not a barracks, that he does not have central control tools that can control everyone, and that those who dislike authority like him are always active. This is exactly why he positions himself as a tough and pragmatic merchant politician, and targets the entire market and regulations rather than his individual competitors in the market.
No state and no system in the world has a single voice. Within every governance mechanism, there are different voices and schools; opinions clash; bargaining takes place. The US is no exception to this rule as a hegemonic state that claims to govern not only its own system but all systems in the world. The issue of being the leader of the system is all right, but there are many different views on the issue of which tools, which cost-benefit balance and which strategy this should be achieved with. We can summarize the basic foreign policy schools as follows: Controllers, Shapers, Abstainers and Deal-makers. Controllers claim to govern the entire global system like an empire with economic and military tools, and if necessary, with single-handed interventions and by using force. Shapers believe in alliances and are in favor of convincing the world of US leadership by defending liberal norms and values.
While the Timid defend a tradition that prioritizes isolating itself from world problems by turning to its own countries and the continent as soon as possible, the bargainers believe that every issue can be resolved at the table with a give-and-take balance. Trump is closest to the bargainers who are based on pragmatism and opportunism. He looks at the world in a style that is not very common among these schools by reinterpreting the concept of balance. Sometimes he is portrayed as a lawless mafia boss (Don), sometimes as a protective and caring daddy (dady). The truth is that he likes both definitions because he is ready to play both roles.
Trump's biggest challenge is the need to establish a separate balance at each table. The techno-industrial complex has now been added to the traditional military industrial complex and peace industries competition within the country. There is a necessity to keep strategies that will feed all three. Although he says "I am a man of peace", he occasionally has to support regional wars that will feed the military structure. On the one hand, while reminding the techno-industrial complex that brought him to power of its limits, he also has to teach tourism, cosmetics, retail, etc. sectors that feed on peace to be patient. A difficult balance, indeed.
Another balance is between China, Europe, and Russia. It is not easy to prevent each of them from getting close to the other, but also to put them in their place. The balance between Iran, Israel, and the Gulf, which shapes the Middle East, is difficult; and so is maintaining a Pacific-focused strategy with NATO-based balances. Trump’s job is not easy at all, but those who evaluate Trump’s approach as fixed and clear and descend into the well with their rope can sometimes have a more difficult job. We need to be careful!
