Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:. American Presidentialism

hi bolaji

of course we all wish you were right. many other columnists are much much more dire about the damage done to the republic, to democratic values.

democracy, political systems, are indissoluable from economy structures and forces. a simple marxist view i share. i don't say "determined," but certainly relatively determined.

trump's powers express the values/act out the values of a strong bigoted plurality. some would say majority. he opposes state controls, even as he wages a tariff trade war. he is bellicose, unrespectful of the demos.

what made a president like him possible can't be separated from all the pressures of globalization, which will probably increase over time. probably what will emerge will not correspond directly to the current opposing features of democratic liberalism and authoritarian statism.

ken

kenneth harrow

professor emeritus

dept of english

michigan state university

517 803-8839

harrow@msu.edu

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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2018 10:29:44 AM
To: USAAfrica Dialogue
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:. American Presidentialism

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  

Sunday, August 26, 2018

After President Trump's exit - either by imminent resignation, or impeachment or one-term tenure -  American Presidentialism will never be the same again.  The unlimited powers of the Presidency which were presumed would never be tested by a "reasonable" President have been found to be dangerous under Trump, and will be formally curbed. The use and time length of Executive Orders, tax returns and campaign financing  for candidates, pardon prerogatives, family members in White House, emoluments matters,  security clearance issues, even deposition and inditement while in office, all will be looked at closely.  The Union will become more perfect, and the ongoing opprobrium on America's democracy will be nullified.  That is a promise, not a threat. 

 (C) Bolaji Aluko, August 2018

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