The American turn to global authoritarianism
It's the hallmark of the demagogue to bend the truth to their benefit. That JD Vance—sidekick of Donald Trump who has thrived on attacking every part of American democracy—used his speech at the Munich Security Conference to lecture Europe on liberty is hypocritical, but it is consistent with Trumpism as it developed over the past decade. Remember, Trump and his followers denied the outcome of the 2020 election, violently stormed the Capitol Building (in the case of Trump, encouraged it), banned Black history books from public schools, and canceled transgender peoples across US history and institutions. That Vance endorses far-right parties in Europe is similarly unsurprising. Put the anti-immigrant, transphobic, climate-denying, and market-radical program of Alternative für Deutschland next to that of the US Republican Party, you’ll find more similarities than differences. As Vance said, we don't have to agree with him—and we certainly should not be surprised. JD Vance did, however, tell us something new, something even darker and terrifying.
The vice president was correct in saying that millions of European and American voters are sympathetic to right-wing populist politics. Hence the successes of Orbán, Kickl, Weidel, Wilders, Trump, and others to come. Many listeners also found pleasure in how the Vice President exposed Europe’s complacency and mocked its political leaders. Vance is also correct that we ought to talk to those with who we disagree, especially if they represent large parts of the population. So, if you support such politics, let me tell you that Vance shared something with the world that you might regret, even if today you gloat about Europe's humiliation.
“The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within.” - JD Vance, Feb 14 2025
At the Munich Security Conference, the US Vice President declared that liberal democracy, as practiced by most European countries and the U.S. until recently, is a greater threat to security than Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and China, which threatens to do the same with Taiwan. Even if Vance's examples amounted to a systematic suppression of freedom in Europe, it is presumptuous to claim they pose a greater threat than Russia, where political dissidents are routinely killed and foreign interest are pursued by a war of aggression. Vance said it very clearly: Unless they dance to the tune of Donald Trump, “the new sheriff in town”, the US will not defend European countries. Remember, Vance is vice president of a military superpower that threatened to annex Canada, Greenland, and parts of Panama.
I'm not here to praise European, Canadian, or otherwise liberal righteousness. I'm witnessing that the USA yesterday, on the world stage, gave its farewell from the Western Bloc and rehabilitated two of the world’s most authoritarian regimes. Some years ago, American retreat and a deconstruction of Europe might have posed an opportunity to dissolve centralized power and redistribute global wealth. Today, I can only make out one movement ready to fill the void: authoritarianism. If Russia invades Ukraine to expand its territory, if the U.S. threatens to invade Greenland to absorb the latter's resources, what fate will other countries face without the means to deter military superpowers?
A world that emboldens bullies like Putin, Trump, and Xi Jinping and destabilizes other zones of conflict is not going to bolster the US’ own security. My hope today lies in the American opposition, civil society, and democratic institutions. It is clear by now that an authoritarian clan has taken the US executive branch. Unlike in Russia, Iran, and China, this regime is still in its formative stages, its executive powers are still limited by institutional checks and balances. It is yet to be seen if the conservative majorities in Congress and the Supreme Court will fold to Trump’s directive, but civil society is still strong, media still able to dissect the government, the next elections are coming. American friends, the madmen in the White House must be stopped. Meanwhile, folks here in Canada or in Europe must realize that, at least for the next four years, we are on our own. Vance is rebuilding a world in which elites compete for dominance by the right of the strongest. We must resist through compassion and global solidarity.