The Era of Alternative Reality

The Transition of Right-wing Populism into 'Wannabe' Fascism in America

Abstract

Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election debunks the theory that his first term was an anomaly in the history of liberal democracy in the United States. The reasons are sought in the underestimation of populist politics in the form of the allegedly excessively elitist, identitarian, and neoliberal policies of the Democratic Party, in the weakness of the campaign and its leading politicians, i.e., in their neglect of the "spirit of the times" when parts of society, and not just in America, are moving in a conservative direction. Acknowledging such criticisms, this article also points to a completely different type of possible reasons, i.e., to the strengthening effects of the universal spread of disinformation, deception, and lies, which is exactly what satisfies voters looking for simple answers to complex questions. Possible consequences of the second Trump mandate include the destruction of the political system of liberal democracy in the United States and the disruption of the international order in favor of illiberal, populist, proto-fascist tendencies and autocratic or dictatorial regimes and leaders.