I think the quote that "power corrupts" gets the causal link backwards. The pursuit and consolidation of power is accomplished by means of corruption and absolute power is most directly accomplished by absolute corruption. An Olympian God has no need of corruption because their power doesn't depend on bribes or favors to attain or maintain.
One could argue, as professor Brands has, that for the moment Donald trump will be the most powerful president we have had. I always felt our creative presidents amassed great power and used the Constitution to justify their acts in time of war. And the power of the American president has grown well beyond the other branches. Trump's grasp could have reasonably been predicted.
Brand lists the structured institutions he has dominated such as the Republican Party beholden to him and a Supreme Court that decisively leans in his favor. This list sounds like that of a dictator who has complete control. But we still have a democracy with a pretty strong system of checks on authoritarianism. Whatever control Trump has for now it could evaporate within a year or more. So much will depend on his conduct once his presidency starts. If he does not value democracy (and there is little evidence he does) then his power will solidify. However if he looks toward a legacy of improving the social fabric of the country he governs and respects the Constitution, then he may come to recognize that claiming power for it alone means nothing.
There is a difference in achieving greatness or even some level of goodness that is morally far superior to mastering political power. But there is little in Trump's character to suggest to suggest he will do little than pursue power for it own sake.
Your essay raises so many concerns about this country's presidency and how we respond to the occupants meaning of it.
The only fair way to analyze the second Trump presidency will be to push past the ridiculous hyperbole portraying him as a neo-fascist by the left and the hagiography of the right. We must remember that he is a man and not an Olympian god.
I think the quote that "power corrupts" gets the causal link backwards. The pursuit and consolidation of power is accomplished by means of corruption and absolute power is most directly accomplished by absolute corruption. An Olympian God has no need of corruption because their power doesn't depend on bribes or favors to attain or maintain.
One could argue, as professor Brands has, that for the moment Donald trump will be the most powerful president we have had. I always felt our creative presidents amassed great power and used the Constitution to justify their acts in time of war. And the power of the American president has grown well beyond the other branches. Trump's grasp could have reasonably been predicted.
Brand lists the structured institutions he has dominated such as the Republican Party beholden to him and a Supreme Court that decisively leans in his favor. This list sounds like that of a dictator who has complete control. But we still have a democracy with a pretty strong system of checks on authoritarianism. Whatever control Trump has for now it could evaporate within a year or more. So much will depend on his conduct once his presidency starts. If he does not value democracy (and there is little evidence he does) then his power will solidify. However if he looks toward a legacy of improving the social fabric of the country he governs and respects the Constitution, then he may come to recognize that claiming power for it alone means nothing.
There is a difference in achieving greatness or even some level of goodness that is morally far superior to mastering political power. But there is little in Trump's character to suggest to suggest he will do little than pursue power for it own sake.
Your essay raises so many concerns about this country's presidency and how we respond to the occupants meaning of it.
The only fair way to analyze the second Trump presidency will be to push past the ridiculous hyperbole portraying him as a neo-fascist by the left and the hagiography of the right. We must remember that he is a man and not an Olympian god.