[How About This Book] 'My Way' Trump... The Shadow of 'Dictatorship' Looms Over the U.S.

Kim Bongjoong's "Dangerous American History"
Trump at the Core of Global Turmoil
Deep Distrust and Dissatisfaction with the Political Establishment
Polarization Intensifies and Supporters Rally
The "Police State" That Built World Order
"America First" Strengthened After Trump's Inauguration
Disrupting Existing Order and Undermining Alliances
Warnings of Danger Emerge Within the U.S.
Checks and Balances Remain in Place,
But Attempts to Exercise Unilateral Power Continue

At the time of its founding, each state in the United States was essentially its own country. The process of uniting the 13 nations (the 13 British colonies) into a single federation was arduous, marked by continuous division and conflict. While the federal government sought the authority of a unified nation, states like New York and Virginia strongly asserted their autonomy. Through the efforts of those known as the "Founding Fathers," the fundamental principle of "checks and balances" was established in the U.S. Constitution. Legislative, judicial, and executive powers were separated to prevent government authority from being concentrated in one branch, and a balance was struck in the distribution of powers between state and federal governments. In this way, the United States rose as the birthplace of democracy and has functioned as a global leader.

However, the United States is now causing severe global turmoil. At the center of this chaos is President Donald Trump. By prioritizing an "America First" policy, he overturned the existing international order. Shedding its role as the "world's police," the United States began to openly pursue its own interests. Its treatment of allies also changed dramatically. The U.S. demanded massive increases in defense spending from military allies such as Japan and South Korea and imposed high tariffs, departing from the traditional "special treatment for allies" in economic matters. Under the slogan "Make America Great Again," he weakened the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance and prioritized economic interests over environmental concerns, pushing for withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. Kim Bongjoong, a tenured professor at San Diego City College, points out, "As a result, America's international credibility has been severely damaged. The United States has lost much of its alliances and global leadership."

The book begins by examining the history of polarization in the United States. The aftermath of the Civil War, which broke out in 1861 over the issue of slavery, continues to this day. In the 1960s, the North and South clashed over the civil rights movement, antiwar protests, and the women's liberation movement. Even now, the South remains a stronghold for the Republican Party, while the North favors the Democratic Party. The author identifies Trump as the greatest beneficiary of this polarized structure, portraying him as a problematic figure who intentionally deepened the divide to consolidate his support base.

Trump's supporters are diverse in their social and economic backgrounds, but they share a deep distrust and dissatisfaction with the existing political system and elites. This situation stems from the polarization that occurred during the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. Although the crisis was quickly resolved through government intervention, the resulting income gap between the middle and lower classes amplified distrust toward the establishment. The author identifies this as the reason why, despite successfully overcoming the financial crisis, the Obama administration faced criticism from low-income white southerners.

Amid these circumstances, Trump's emergence-eschewing traditional political norms-captured the attention of white southerners. His strategy of framing the conflict as "elites versus ordinary citizens" and criticizing Washington's political elite resonated strongly with white workers, farmers, and even traditional Democratic supporters. To create jobs in the U.S., Trump imposed high tariffs on imports of goods not manufactured domestically and pursued policies to deport undocumented immigrants, who compete with low-income Americans for work.

The author warns that such strategies could put the United States at great risk. Claims that undocumented immigrants take jobs from citizens and increase crime rates are, in fact, inaccurate. The author points out that undocumented immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans, as they fear deportation if caught. Furthermore, in industries such as agriculture and construction, which rely on foreign labor, a reduction in the workforce leads directly to rising prices.

The author draws a clear line regarding claims that Trump's autocratic tendencies could make him a dictator like Hitler. The "freedom of expression" guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution provides a foundation for openly criticizing Trump, making checks and balances possible. The author cites the Watergate scandal as an example, where persistent media scrutiny led President Nixon to admit to abuse of power and resign.

In addition, the author explains that the separation of powers among Congress, the executive branch, and the judiciary, along with a unique American bureaucratic culture that refuses to follow orders that violate constitutional principles, also prevents Trump from becoming a dictator. The book introduces the case of President Roosevelt, whose executive power was at its strongest during the Great Depression and World War II, yet the principle of "checks and balances" was upheld through the oversight of the judiciary and legislature. The author also analyzes how the whistleblower culture in the United States serves as a barrier to the rise of dictatorship.

However, the recent trend of filing astronomical lawsuits against media outlets critical of Trump and deploying troops to opposition strongholds under the pretext of maintaining order raises questions about the continued effectiveness of the "checks and balances" principle.

Dangerous American History | Written by Kim Bongjoong | RHKorea | 268 pages | 18,500 won