Essay on How Trumps Nationalism Influence Policy Making

While many people believe that factors such as digital technology, human rights or even the resurgence of religion are some of the most powerful political forces in the world today, I tend to believe that the strongest force in the world would be nationalism. Precisely, over the past couple of centuries, the belief that humanity consists of various cultures forming groups that are obliged to have their own state, has been an overwhelmingly powerful force. For instance, during the colonial period, it was the influence of nationalism that cemented most of the European powers that are present in the modern day today, changing them from dynastic states to nation-states. Therefore, with regard to President Donald Trumps nationalism policy and the impacts, it has on policymaking, for a majority of the Americans, this nationalism, which is so repugnant to the liberal elite seems like common sense to them. This essay, therefore, seeks to analyze how Trumps nationalism influences the American citizens, the foreigners and also the overall policy makings.

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Firstly, immediately after Donald Trump vowed to Make America Great Again, what he meant is that he would follow in the same footpath as that of Ronald Reagan in 1980. Trumps nationalism ideology. This was primarily evidenced by Trumps inaugural address whose central theme was the legitimacy of the nation-state as a community, the best of the citizens interest, and also as a source of unity. For instance, Trumps idea of nationalism has a significant impact on the American citizens since it has the potential to appeal across racial and ethnic lines, as long as he is able to demonstrate that this ideology is not just a cover for his loyalty to the subnational group of his choice (Gidda).

Additionally, while Trumps presidency substantially endorses nationalism, a majority of the American scholars tend to believe that this ideology, will be sacrificing the American consumers and the taxpayers. For instance, Trump, through his nationalistic agenda, has openly and executively given an order concerning the building of the wall on the Mexican border. According to Trump, the Mexican border has significantly posed social and cultural dangers, something which compels him to protect the American people. While this may be considered a wise move to be done by the Republican President, this move will have adverse impacts on the American consumers and taxpayers who are expected to pay for the wall (Feffer and Tom). Additionally, the proposal to construct the wall will not only affect the American taxpayers but will also have negative impacts on the foreigners, in this case, the Mexican. One of the main effects will be felt on the Mexican trade since there is a proposal to impose a 20% tax on all the Mexican goods being imported into the United States. Thus, in a nutshell, Trumps nationalistic agenda, in this particular case, will cause the desires and the interests of the individual American consumers as well as the import businesses to be sacrificed for the restoration of national greatness (Lowry).

Besides, Trumps trade agenda is another significant expression of his nationalism. According to his nationalistic ideas, every other trade deal must pass the national interest test, something which has had a great impact on policy makings. For instance, his zero-sum word view is significantly evident in the American and also the global economic policies since this is one of Trumps greatest concerns regarding financial nationalism. According to analysts such as Simms and Laderman, President Trump does not prioritize various other factors such as ideology or the raw military power as compared to the trade deals (The Economist). For this reason, this is where Trumps well-known trait of protectionism comes from.

Also, Trumps presidency and precisely his nationalistic agenda substantially impact the American foreign policy. As facts would have it, the American executive is at least constrained in the impacts that nationalism has on the foreign policy. Therefore, according to various scholars and analysts, the American foreign policy significantly shows unusual departures as a result of Trumps nationalism ideas. Particularly, Trumps presidency, which is characterized by nationalism raises the questions about the kind of influence that factors such as individual personality, norms, domestic culture or even identity, has on America as a nation (Mills and Steven). In conclusion, nationalism, an idea primarily endorsed by President Donald Trump, means distinguishing between the members of a political community and outsiders. This, in essence, evidently privileges the political community over the foreigners or rather the outsiders. Therefore, based on the opinions held by both the foreigners and the American citizens, it is with such distinctions brought about by nationalism that a majority of the people become profoundly uncomfortable (Ebeling). This being said, it can be concluded that the nationalistic agenda caused by the Trumps administration has seen a vast range of impacts not only on the American citizens but also on the foreigners and the overall policy makings. These impacts are such as the reduction of illegal immigration, the reformation of illegal immigration so as to prioritize the skilled American workers and the would-be citizens, saving the idea of national community through the promulgation of the shared American language, art or even literature. Finally, the assertion of national prerogatives in the trade negotiations is one of the main impacts that the nationalistic agenda has on the foreigners.

Works Cited

Ebeling, Richard M. "The Economic Nationalism of Donald Trump." The Future of Freedom Foundation, 30 Jan. 2017, www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/economic-nationalism-donald-trump/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.

The Economist. "Trumps World: The New Nationalism." The Economist, 19 Nov. 2016, www.economist.com/news/leaders/21710249-his-call-put-america-first-donald-trump-latest-recruit-dangerous. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.

Feffer, John, and Tom Dispatch. "Donald Trump Against the World: The Birth of a New Nationalist World Order." Alternet, 26 Jan. 2017, www.alternet.org/right-wing/donald-trump-against-world-birth-new-nationalist-world-order. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.

Gidda, Mirren. "How Donald Trumps Nationalism Won Over White Americans." Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2016, www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-nationalism-racism-make-america-great-again-521083. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.

Lowry, Rich. "Donald Trump & Nationalism -- Americans Are Expressing Their Desire for A Strong Nation-State." National Review, 27 Jan. 2017, www.nationalreview.com/article/444317/donald-trump-nationalism-americans-are-expressing-their-desire-strong-nation-state. Accessed 25 Apr. 2017.

Mills, Daniel Q, and Steven Rosefielde. The Trump Phenomenon and the Future of Us Foreign Policy. 1st ed., World Scientific, 2016.