The 20th Century brought numerous factions into the Republican Party. From the Progressive Republicans at the turn of the century, the Reagan Coalition in the 80s, and the liberal Rockefeller Republicans between. Has the 21st Century brought a transformation to Trumpism or Trumpian Republicans?
It wasn’t until the 1950s that conservatism in America started to take hold. Most Republicans held moderate to liberal views on domestic issues. Rockefeller Republicans were center to center-right economically and culturally liberal on social policies. For almost 60 years, being a Republican signified belief in ideas such as a social safety net, continuation of New Deal Programs, run more efficiently than the Democrats had, and opposition to socialism while maintaining strong support of big business and Wall Street.
But in 1964, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater launched his presidential campaign on a conservative platform, championing creating the smallest government possible, free enterprise, and individual freedoms, shocking the establishment by sparking a resurgence of the American conservative political movement. Four years later, Richard Nixon ran on a similar platform and won the presidency. Although his time in office was marked by liberal policies such as environmentalism and affirmative action, he is credited with coining the term “silent majority” to describe conservative Americans who felt left out of the political process.
The conservative movement stalled in the early 1990s under President George H. W. Bush but was given new life with the 1994 election of Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House. Under his leadership, Republicans passed several bills cutting government spending and regulations. These policies were continued under President George W. Bush but were widely criticized during the Great Recession of 2008.
Even though Trump has been pursuing policies that seem more traditional, such as tax reduction and entitlement reform, he continues to surround himself with people who wish to eliminate the old GOP establishment.
So, in the age of Trump, what does it mean to be a Republican? Is Trumpism just a fad, or could it be the start of a major realignment in American politics?
It’s important to look back at the last time the Republican party experienced a major change to comprehend what’s going on now.
The GOP was more ideologically diverse in the first half of the 20th century than today. Many conservatives and liberal Republicans composed the party, including people who backed social security, infrastructure projects, and civil rights. Eisenhower, a Republican, was responsible for desegregating schools in the South.
However, this started to change in the 1960s when Barry Goldwater, a senator from Arizona, ran for president on a conservative platform. His campaign was seen as a shocking challenge to the GOP establishment.
Although Goldwater ultimately lost the election, his ideas gained traction within the Republican Party. The conservative movement he helped start came to dominate Republican politics for the next half-century. Goldwater’s book, The Conscience of a Conservative, was a bestseller in the 1960s. It became the cornerstone for the politics of an entire generation, starting with Reagan to the Bushs and the GOP candidates of the 2016 election. If Goldwater’s nomination acceptance speech from 1964 were aired today, Republicans and Democrats would not blink an eye, it is our standard rhetoric. However, the speech was so controversial that Senator Nelson Rockefeller, a moderate, stood up during the convention and denounced Goldwater and his fellow conservatives. Nelson stated, “These are people who have nothing in common with Americanism. The Republican party must repudiate these people.“
What we’re seeing now is a potential second major transformation of the Republican Party. The first happened in the 1960s when Barry Goldwater led the charge toward conservatism. This time, Donald Trump is at the forefront of changes within the GOP.
At first glimpse, he appears to be continuing with some of its conservative goals— such as lowering the corporate tax rate and rolling back Obamacare. However, the GOP does not have a Goldwater-like playbook from Donald Trump. Their ideology is not as clear-cut as conservatives. Trump’s head nod to the more conservative ideas was simply a way to increase his base. After four years of the Trump administration, a distinct ideology emerges as the foundation for Trumpism.
The Trumpist Republicans have embraced a more populist platform and have set their eyes on transforming the GOP. Trump introduced a new brand of mercantilism, bridging economic nationalism and foreign policy protectionism. The former President quickly divested himself from the Paul Ryan-style fiscal conservatism and condemned the military intervention like the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. One of Trump’s first acts as president was to pull the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade pact that had been years in the making.
In 2016, Donald Trump was elected president on a populist platform that departed from traditional Republican values. Since taking office, Trump continued to implement his America First agenda through a series of controversial policies, such as the Muslim travel ban and the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.
Trump promised to revive American manufacturing and bring jobs back to the country’s Rust Belt through his America First policies. He also pledged to reduce immigration, both legal and illegal.
Trumpism can be defined as a political ideology that is based on the following key components:
– Nationalism: Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of American nationalism. He has vowed to put “America First” and has been critical of other countries, such as China and Mexico.
– Protectionism: Trump has championed using tariffs and other trade barriers to protect American industries. He has also been critical of free trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
– Populism: Trump has portrayed himself as a champion of the working class. He promised to revive American manufacturing and bring jobs back to the country’s Rust Belt.
– Authoritarianism: Trump has shown a willingness to use authoritarian tactics, such as threatening to jail his political opponents and calling for an expansion of the powers of the presidency.
Trumpism has been criticized by some as a dangerous form of populism that could lead to authoritarianism. Others have praised it as a necessary response to the global challenges of the 21st century.
– It is a form of populism that could lead to authoritarianism: Critics have argued that Trump’s call for an expansion of the powers of the presidency and his threats to jail his political opponents are dangerous signs that he is willing to abuse his power.
– It is based on nationalism and protectionism: Trump’s focus on American nationalism and protectionism has been criticized as a recipe for conflict and economic decline.
– It could lead to increased racism and xenophobia: Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants and minorities has been criticized as racist and xenophobic.
– It could damage the country’s relationships with its allies: Trump’s America First policies and his criticism of NATO and the European Union have led to fears that he could damage the country’s relationships with its allies.
Some of the key arguments in support of Trumpism include:
– It is a necessary response to the global challenges of the 21st century: Trump’s supporters have argued that his America First policies are a necessary response to the challenges of globalization, such as the rise of China and the decline of American manufacturing.
– It will revive the country’s Rust Belt: Trump’s supporters have argued that his policies will revive American manufacturing and bring jobs back to the country’s Rust Belt.
– It will reduce immigration: Trump’s supporters have argued that his policies will reduce both legal and illegal immigration.
– It will restore American greatness: Trump’s supporters have argued that his policies will restore American greatness. They argue he is a strong leader who is not afraid to take on the country’s enemies, such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
Trump’s election ushered in a new era of politics defined by populism and nationalism. The Age of Trump has been marked by a series of major events, including the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, the election of right-wing populist governments in Hungary and Poland, the rise of far-right movements across Europe, and the January 6th Insurrection.
In the United States, the election of Donald Trump has led to a deep divide within the Republican Party. Many traditional Republicans, such as Senators John McCain, Mitt Romney, Representatives Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger, have been critical of Trump’s policies and statements. Others, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have embraced Trumpism. Governors and 2024 presidential hopefuls have embraced Trump himself, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, or Trumpism, like Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The future of Trumpism is uncertain. However, it is clear that the movement has reshaped American politics and will continue to significantly impact the country for years.
Click Here to see why I no longer consider myself a 21st Century Republican.
