The Former President's Approach Present a Threat to Civilized Society.
His domestic and foreign policies – ranging from the effort to overturn the election previously to latest incursions and warnings – undermine both domestic and international legal frameworks. But that’s not all.
These actions threaten the fundamental meaning of what we mean by.
The guiding principle of a functioning society is to prevent the more powerful from attacking and exploiting the less powerful. Without this, we could find ourselves locked in a brutish war where might makes right prevails.
This concept is embedded of the Declaration and Constitution. This is also the heart of the postwar international order advocated by the US, emphasizing multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and the supremacy of law.
But, it is a vulnerable ideal, easily violated by those who would exploit their power. Preserving it requires that the influential have enough integrity to avoid seeking short-term wins, and that society ensure they answer for their actions should they falter.
Unfettered might is not right. It makes for uncertainty, upheaval, and conflict.
Each instance entities that are wealthier and stronger prey upon those that are not, the framework of society weakens. If such aggression are not contained, the system fails. Without intervention, the world can plunge into disorder and conflict. History provides ample precedent.
We now inhabit a global community grown vastly more unequal. Authority and resources are more concentrated than in recent memory. This encourages the elite to take advantage of the disadvantaged because they perceive themselves as omnipotent.
The resources of certain billionaires is almost beyond comprehension. The reach of major corporations in technology, energy, and aerospace extends over a vast portion of the world. AI is likely to further concentrate economic and political clout to a greater degree. The offensive capability of the leading countries is unmatched in the annals of time.
Supported by political allies and a pliant supreme court, the presidency has been made into the most dominant and unchecked instrument of government in history.
Put it all together and you grasp the danger.
A direct line connects past breaches of norms to ongoing threats. These were based on the arrogance of invincibility.
You see a similar pattern in international affairs: in military conflicts, in strategic threats, and in the global depredation by powerful corporate entities.
But, strength without restraint does not make right. It fosters uncertainty, upended order, and bloodshed.
History shows that laws and norms to limit the powerful also safeguard them. If these guardrails are removed, their relentless pursuit for greater influence and riches in time cause their collapse – and with them their enterprises, countries, or domains. And threaten international catastrophe.
Such disregard for rules will plague America and the global community – and the very idea of civilization – for years to come.
