By Sam Frescoe
http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/
#SamFrescoe
#SamFrescoe #Trump #selfgovernance #Constitution #narrative
#charisma #cultofpersonality
After the Presidential election I was pleased to see that the
Electoral College process did its job (in effect, select a President). Yet, I
was not excited about the results. On one hand, I was profoundly relieved that
Clinton was defeated. On the other, I was unsure what the electorate just did.
On Election Day I executed a decision I made weeks before:
to vote against the unacceptable option. Since that decision, I’ve been
pondering about the “look and feel” of a Trump Presidency. I must admit, the
idea of a political-outsider was attractive; but, Trump’s complete lack of
“direct relevant experience” keeps providing me with pause.
On 30 Nov 2016, I posted an article
titled “Trump
– A new President with a new Attitude”. In that article I raised a concern:
how can The People forecast the likely behavior (particularly decision-making)
of a President Trump? – I came to two conclusions: 1) his leverage of a
national-populist framework, guided by an “America First” mindset, is
informative; 2) his authoritarian style makes him a wildcard likely to depart
from the status quo. – I was left scratching my head.
As of the date of this post, it’s a small number of days
before the President-Elect is sworn in as President; and, I’m still driven to
pause and ponder. This time the pause is prompted by my observations of media
messaging and its narrative. In my view, media messaging generally falls into one
of two camps: “He’s not my President” and “Trump is going to make America great
again.”
On one hand, there are those that
reject the notion of a Trump Presidency. “He’s not qualified,” they claim as
fact; or, he’s “illegitimate” and point to election processes. I am not all
that concerned about this banter. Come 20 Jan 2017, all of this nonsense will
largely be put to rest (as it won’t be as useful anymore) and the die-hards
will continue to fade thereafter.
On the other hand, I see the rise
of a dogmatic superstar that is known for breaking from the status quo.
Additionally, there seems to be an ongoing narrative that “Trump is going to
make America great again.” I am quite concerned about this banter. Come 20 Jan
2017, all of this political capital will be available for Executive use. In my
view, given the lack of Constitutional couching within the discourse (I’m not
referring to political party couching) is a serious problem for the republic.
My fear is that The People may be granting consent as a matter of media
momentum (aka: a mandate) rather than by a constitutional process (aka: the
making of law).
So, in my view, critical questions remain: are The People going
to concede their consent or not; and to what degree and how?
“So What?”
Simply stated, the President is just that, and nothing more.
Not a ruler, monarch, messiah, hero, king, sovereign, tsar, raja, liege,
emperor, majesty, or lord. However, the strength of the administrative state,
coupled with an acceptance of Executive Orders on the level of law, does
provide any President with a great deal of direct, unchecked, and
un-constitutional power.
The United States of America was
founded on the ideal of individual self-governance. To that end, the Founders
ratified a Constitution that codified an arrangement of national government
with enumerated and constrained powers. It happens that the Constitution and
Bill of Rights codify a republic form of limited government, according to the
consent of The People.
Framing
My intent is to examine media messaging that promotes the
notion that “Trump will make America great again” because I want to show you
how acceptance of this cult of personality is dangerous to the constitutional
republic of the United States of America.
Getting Started
Today’s pro-Trump messaging is effective. I hear it repeated
verbatim on the job, in the grocery store, and on the radio. Additionally, I’ve
noticed the messaging largely falling into one of two categories: affirming charismatic
authority (ex: the Trump Effect) and building a cult of personality (ex: the
list of actions Trump is going to do for us). In my view, both versions exhibit
harmful potential by fueling Trump’s “wildcard” preferences.
Charismatic Authority
Charismatic authority is a type of
leadership in which authority derives from the charisma of the leader versus by
legal or traditional authority.[1]
In other words, a kind of headship in which authority stems from charm and
appeal versus legitimacy by law or establishment by tradition. Additionally,
because of this break from the legal and traditional, charismatic authority is
often viewed as revolutionary and a means to usher in new normative patterns.[2]
In rhetorical terms, charismatic
authority is a leadership type that derives authority from credibility (ethos)
versus logic (logos) or empathy (pathos). In a classical sense, it’s a recognition
of intelligence, character, and goodwill; and in this case, Trump definitely
fits the bill. He is intelligent regarding business and deal-making. He is a
strong departure from the “political norm” and seems comfortable around the
common citizenry. He seems to go out of his way to demonstrate respect (such as
glad-handing with police officers). In my view, all of this seems appropriately
Presidential; however, the “revolutionary” warning remains loud and clear.
In my view, this type of messaging
represents a potentially serious problem; not because the status quo is acceptable
(it’s not), but because charismatic authority is not sufficiently stable to inform
an estimation of a new normal.
Cult of Personality
A cult of personality continues to
be built as Trump is deliberately presented to The People as a great person who
should be admired and loved.[3]
Given the incentives of a Presidential election, this approach represents sound
strategy for achieving the desired end, winning the election. However, it’s the
lingering narrative that suggests The People are helpless without Trump that
continues to raise my concern. In short, because political action lags societal
momentum, I am concerned that The People are being duped into forfeiting their
consent in favor of a promised “a mandate for action.” Now add the recent acceptance
of Executive abuses, and the principles of a limited, constitutional republic
are in in danger of being outmaneuvered.[4]
Going Forward
The popular premise that “Trump (himself) will make America
great again” is a false narrative. Trump (a single man) will not make America
great again. Furthermore, after he is sworn in as President, his ability to lawfully
act in a unilateral fashion will become severely curtailed. While Trump can set
a “make America great” tone, he cannot simply “make America great.”
The truth is that The People will make America great again. It
will be the combined effort of the American people that will “make America
great again.” It will be The People that produce; The People that protect lives
and property; The People that heal bodies, minds, spirits, and souls; The
People that safeguard our ideals; The People that make homes and raise
families; The People that put skills in hands and knowledge in minds; The
People that put food on the table; The People that maintain the peace; and The
People that prepare for war. – The greatness of America is not secured by any one
man. The greatness of America is built by a nation of hard-working, freedom-loving
Americans.
America was deliberately founded on
a good idea: self-governance. Self-governance is a trust amongst us that mutually
demands independence, respect, and responsibility at the individual level. The
Constitution of the United States, coupled with the Bill of Rights, was
ratified to codify a government of limited powers designed to protect this good
idea.
The Bottom Line
I am troubled by a political revolution that places charm
and appeal above Constitutional law and American ideals. Still, it’s my
personal hope that President Trump will usher a new normal that significantly
breaks from the status quo and re-institutionalizes an All-American good idea:
self-governance. That, indeed, would “make America great again.”
Thank you. – Sam Frescoe
Your View
Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you
to tell me what you believe with the comment section below or at samfrescoe@gmail.com.
© 2017 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com
– All Rights Reserved
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_authority
(accessed 170102) (2 notes, 17 citations, 6 sources)
[2]
WEBER LINKS page http Archived April 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. //
Kunin, Seth D. "Religion; the modern theories" University of
Edinburgh 2003 ISBN 0-7486-1522-9 page 40
[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult%20of%20personality
(accessed 170102)
[4]
Emily Cadei. “Cult of Personality: How Trump Uses the Playbook of Europe's Far
Right”. Newsweek, US. 10 May 2016. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/05/20/how-trump-uses-playbook-europes-far-right-457566.html
(accessed 170102)
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