Author: Frank J. Donatelli
Donald Trump turned GOP into his picture. Once Gadfly, whose ideas were widely ridiculed in 2016, Trump now dominates his party. This is strange because Trump is not particularly ideological. His ruling style is transactional and strongly focused on settling the results with his real and imagined opponents.
However, he converted GOP in several key issues. This is partly due to Trump’s appeal to his unwavering base. It also results from the ideological roots of conservatism and GOP in America. The party returns to its views before World War II on issues such as protective tariffs, international insulation and immigration, with one essential addition. Trump did not show GOP a novel direction so much that he woke up bold ideas since America confronted the reality of World War II and the Cold War.
To obtain evidence, do not look further than the Republican platform from 1940. After eight years of novel order and desperately to return to power, the Republicans had the full right to expect victory in 1940. They would be disappointed when Franklin Roosevelt won the third term, something Trump is wondering today. There are so many senior religions in this document, including essential parts of the Magician Bible.
Start with immigration. The platform is very specific for what it entails:
“We favor the strict enforcement of all the provisions controlling the entry of aliens. The effects of unwanted aliens should be examined, and those who try to change by force and violence, the American form of the government should be deported.”
Today’s Republicans also raise the specter of “invasion” of foreigners towards foreign rule. This is the basis of Trump’s reference to the Act on the enemies of aliens of 1798, in which he claims that the power of detention and deportation of Venezuela citizens who are “gang members” with a petite or no process. Note that the last time this act was used, it consisted in detaining Japanese Americans in international camps during World War II, this is not a shining example of American freedom.
The incorrect purpose of immigration restrictions dating back to the 1920s was to prevent foreign employees of American works, especially work in blue. Regardless of the importance she was ten years ago, today it makes no sense with low unemployment, falling birth growth and American companies largely dependent on foreign employees.
In 1940, Republicans reflected the dominant views of the great business that protective tariffs are necessary. The idea of ​​”industries for babies” requiring government protection has been widely accepted. It was work in the early 1920s, which opposed the tariffs because they raised consumers prices for their members. Here’s what the platform said about:
“We are threatening us with unfair competition in world markets and the invasion of our home markets … We believe in protecting tariffs for agriculture, labor and industry as necessary for our American standard of living.”
Trump’s setting with tariffs reveals a mercantile way of thinking, the dominant ideology in European thinking at the age of 17-18. Mercantilism focused on protectionism, vast excess trade and foreign colonies to obtain raw materials and resources. He explains his threats for the occupation of Greenland and his request to acquire sporadic natural resources of Ukraine. Together with the publication of the wealth of Adam Smith’s nations in 1776 (in the same year as our declaration of independence), Mercantilism as the ruling philosophy was rejected until this administration was revived in our Lord’s Year 2025.
The biggest change in current thinking GOP concerns foreign policy. Trump and far -right perceive alliances as a burden, and not the benefits for the US, his support for Russia after the invasion of Ukraine is a stunning change of direction. His separation from Europe, the fight against the tariff, the threat of recovering the Panama channel and Greenland Annex and its warrior rhetoric against amiable countries, such as Canada, support the approach “Go Alone”, which reflected GOP’s isolationist thinking on the eve of World War II. Here’s what the 1940 platform says:
“The Republican Party is definitely against the involvement of this nation in a foreign war … We regret the president’s explosions addressed to other governments that serve the foreign of our peace; and we condemn all executive activities and proceedings that can lead to war without the authorization of the congress …”
Conservative himself, Robert Taft, favored neutrality even to the American entrance to World War II. Pearl Harbor and the Declaration of Hitler’s war against the United States swept all other isolationist sentiments, and America has become a full partner in the war with fascism. However, even after the war, essential elements of American law opposed the Marshall and NATO plan, which were designed to rebuild Europe and union with America for resistance to Soviet communism. It was Dwight Eisenhower who caught the Republican party to confront the novel reality of the role of America in opposing the communist tyranny in the world. NATO protected democracy and maintained peace for 80 years, but is currently threatened with withdrawal. America will soon be free from alliances and maybe friends in this hazardous world.
One of the areas that is novel in GOP thinking is the Imperial Presidency. Starting from Franklin Roosevelt, the Republicans approached the head of the Chief Director with unlimited powers. One of the principles of the founders of the constitution was guarding the king in America. Washington himself accepted the welcome of “Mr. President”, unlike the royal “Your Excellency”. The separation of powers in relation to the highest legislation in the creation of regulations and the independent judiciary was designed to ensure that no president will have unlimited rights.
However, Trump issued an executive order to deny the constitutional guarantee of birthday citizenship. The rights to suspend funds appropriated by the Congress and solutions of government agencies established by the Congress were reported. It makes hazardous sounds about the accusation of judges who recognized his illegal and unconstitutional actions. He arrests and deports even legal residents without a proper trial. Thanks to this, the Congress controlled by Republicans does nothing.
This grip of power is far beyond American conservatism, which historically advocated a restricted government and separation of power. On the other hand, Trump and his allies adopt a “strong man” of a view on the government found in right -wing authorities in Europe and South America. It is ironic that American conservatives who once warned about the unchecked executive power now accept their employ by someone whose views are conveniently agreeing.
Protectionism, isolationism and nativism could have a certain meaning 80 years ago. Nursing this witch is not senseing now. Because America needs more employees, access to international markets and allies who will face fascism and terrorism, a return to thinking and authoritarian ideology from the 1940s is hazardous for the future of America.
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Frank J. Donatelli was an assistant to political and intergovernmental matters for President Reagan and deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was involved in preparing for the debate for Reagan in 1984, and Senator Bob Dowan in 1996.
Photo “Donald Trump” by White House.
