{"id":33244,"date":"2023-10-07T10:03:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T17:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=33244"},"modified":"2023-12-09T22:02:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T06:02:58","slug":"identity-dignity-and-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/identity-dignity-and-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Identity, Dignity, and Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a world marked by increasing polarization and identity-driven conflicts, the quest for dignity and the role of identity politics has become central to our understanding of modern society. Well-known political scientist Francis Fukuyama has explored these themes extensively in his book Identity<\/em>, shedding light on the complex relationship between identity, politics, and human nature.[1]<\/a> In this blog post, I will express a modestly biased opinion of our political competitiveness and also explore Fukuyama’s ideas regarding identity and dignity and its role in Christian leadership.<\/p>\n

Preface<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, I believe that a conservative, liberal, or anyone in leadership would benefit from this book. I enjoyed many of Fukuyama\u2019s views on identity especially the recognition of human desire for dignity. Dignity is multifaceted and stands out in the reading. It is a recurring theme that drives human behavior regardless of our \u201ctheoretical identity\u201d defined by our race, gender, workplace, education, affinities, and nation.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

Identity, or our perception of identity, is also versatile and drives us in ways that are both positive and negative. Fukuyama highlights many entangled identities and a corresponding demand for dignity that leads to resentment if not recognized.[3]<\/a> Fukuyama states on page 46 that the modern concept of identity is \u201cthe universal aspect of human personality that craves recognition.\u201d[4]<\/a> Dignity is certainly unique and distinguishes itself as a fundamental driver of human behavior; regardless of the characteristics that identify us, \u201ctoday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recognition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognition has become a personality trait of Donald J. Trump throughout the course of his career. Fukuyama makes this point clear and exaggerates claims about Trump in his opening preface and throughout this book. Considering the publication date of 2018, I\u2019m assuming many of his opinions are shaped by his view of Trump\u2019s history as a real estate giant, entertainer, or even a narcissist, with little time to evaluate his presidency. That being said, I was curious if he had modified any of his views in the present day following a statistically solid presidency. No was the resounding conclusion after searching multiple websites and writings on Fukuyama and his current view of Trump. He gives partial economic credit to Trump in a podcast but downplays any significant wins for the former president.[5]<\/a> His greatest \u201ccompliment\u201d if you will, was his delight to study him from a political science perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fukuyama comments on Trump throughout this book and sets the stage for an anti-Trumpism view immediately. I agree that Trump is the easy candidate for the \u2018butt of the joke\u2019 and takes jabs from Fukuyama throughout this book, however, I was also turned off by the author’s perspective because of his biased opinion from the start.<\/p>\n

Like many news outlets, there is a massive divide between either hating Trump or loving him. He makes headlines worldwide and is a common topic that will energize any read or broadcast. This blog is turning out to be boring so for that reason I want to briefly stir the pot and insert my personal feelings while reading Fukuyama\u2019s book and also take one from the media\u2019s playbook and insert Trump into this blog to hopefully make things more exciting.<\/p>\n

Highlights in Trump\u2019s Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the past decade, it has been difficult to find a book, news article, or broadcast about politics and not talk about Donald Trump. Fukuyama is no different. Trump is a wildcard, to say the least, and definitely the most disrespected president in my lifetime. Some disrespect is well-deserved but a lot of his current legal wars, the Russia hoax, and impeachments, perhaps did more damage to the US than it did Donald Trump. To no surprise, once the former president entered the race for re-election and became the primary candidate, the \u201cjustice\u201d system double-downed on the legal attacks and weaponized the system like some sort of banana republic and engineered devious plans to strip him of everything he has.<\/p>\n

Although I disagree with a lot of his tactics early on in his political career, I must say he has come a long way and it\u2019s a shame what the DOJ is putting him through currently. I am not an \u201call-in MAGA patriot\u201d but I also do not mind sharing that my bank account preferred the last administration over the current one. During DJT\u2019s tenure, \u201cincomes rose in every single metro area in the U.S. for the first time in decades, jobless claims hit a 50-year low, middle-class family income increased by $6000 on average,\u201d and interest rates and inflation were low.[6]<\/a> Trump believes in the America Now <\/em>philosophy and has a self-sufficient mindset. Considering just these few facts alone, leaving aside many of his other big wins, how could he also be identified as a man that is \u201cnation damaging, or horrific,\u201d according to Fukuyama?[7]<\/a> How can we give credibility to any “words of wisdom” from this \u201crenowned author\u201d if he is obliviously biased and perhaps narcissistic himself?<\/p>\n

Biden<\/strong><\/p>\n

Biden didn\u2019t make it into Fukuyama\u2019s book but I wish he had. I would like to analyze his identity or lack of identity for a brief moment since Fukuyama didn’t have a chance to. From my point of view, our current president appears to not be able to think for himself or get through a press conference or interview without scripted questions and answers. He has embarrassed our country in almost every public appearance he has made and is not allowed to talk off-script. I\u2019m not trying to be disrespectful but I believe it\u2019s elder abuse at this point. You won\u2019t hear much about it in the media, but his dementia is obvious and could be diagnosed by any unbiased medical professional. I do not believe he will be in the running when the next campaigns get heated next year. I\u2019m not sure he will even finish his current presidency. The bottom line, and sticking to the facts we all can feel with the current administration; \u201cmortgage rates have hit a 22-year high and inflation is at a 40-year high despite the Fed\u2019s best efforts to reduce it.\u201d[8]<\/a> The border is a disaster (3.8 million immigrants and counting[9]<\/a>) and impacts major cities across the US. There also appears to be a strong emphasis on climate and a green agenda that I\u2019m not sure holds any merit.<\/p>\n

I ask the following questions with all honesty and respect from people and leaders I respect, you! Does anyone really believe that Biden is actually running our country? Does anyone believe that he is not corrupt and his son\u2019s overseas business is something that he is not deeply involved in? I do not know how it will all end but I can\u2019t figure out why or how any individual could own over 20 companies that have collected 24 million+[10]<\/a> in money from foreign nations could actually be considered good business without being able to explain what any of the companies actually do? Why is money being sent to family members of the Bidens and why are democrats giving Biden credit when our economy is becoming increasingly harder to tolerate?<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

I believe it comes down to dignity and this is something I can definitely agree with Fukuyama on. I exceeded my word count and went down a rabbit hole in this blog. I apologize for that. I have more to say about Fukuyama\u2019s book but the crux of it all in my opinion is that politics, division, racism, resentment, etc. all fall under pointless arguing. Paul states in Ephesians 6;12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”[11]<\/a> I truly believe the devil is at work in our political systems and would have no chance if we find our identity in Christ first. I believe it would be easy to see how meaningless almost everything else is.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Fukuyama, Francis.\u00a0Identity: Contemporary Identity Politics and the Struggle for Recognition<\/em>.\u00a0London:\u00a0Profile Books,\u00a02018.\u00a0Print<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Ibid, 164<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ibid, 163<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ibid, 46<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.esquire.com\/news-politics\/a23695274\/francis-fukuyama-trump-democracy\/<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> White House Archives, https:\/\/trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov\/trump-administration-accomplishments\/<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.esquire.com\/news-politics\/a23695274\/francis-fukuyama-trump-democracy\/<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mayrarodriguezvalladares\/2022\/11\/01\/with-inflation-at-a-forty-year-high-all-eyes-are-on-the-federal-reserve\/?sh=47f0e8b47f28<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/nypost.com\/2023\/09\/21\/shocking-3-8-million-migrants-have-entered-us-since-biden-took-office\/<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/oversight.house.gov\/release\/comer-mountain-of-evidence-reveals-joe-biden-abused-his-public-office-for-his-familys-financial-gain%EF%BF%BC\/<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Ephesians 6:12, ESV.<\/p>\n