Many have written about Donald Trump’s victory, including my own article on what this means for Africa and the progressive forces on the continent. These forces are currently battling a vicious neocolonial system, represented by African heads of state who have aligned themselves as disciples—and in many cases, false prophets—of a distorted version of democracy.
But the real effect of Trump’s victory on the U.S. itself and the two major political parties remains largely unexplored.
It is clear that the American people are growing weary of neoliberal dogmas, identity politics, and empty slogans. This is evident in the rejection of the politics championed by figures like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary Clinton. Trump’s decisive victory signals that Americans are more concerned with material gains—economic stability, jobs, and security—than with the divisive issues of identity politics, such as gender debates that have confused and frustrated many.
This raises the question: Where is the Democratic Party headed, and how will it respond to this overwhelming loss?
A Shift in Democratic Strategy
The Democratic Party will likely undergo significant changes as it tries to regain the trust of Americans. Internally, it is expected to move closer to the Republican Party’s policies, especially in addressing material concerns. On the international front, however, it will likely maintain its imperialist stance, as demonstrated during the Obama and Biden administrations. Ironically, while Trump’s Republican Party sought to pull back from aggressive international interventions, the Democrats embraced them. We saw this in the handling of conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.
The Democratic Party’s internal shift is inevitable, as it cannot ignore the clear message from the voters. Trump’s victory reveals that Americans are tired of identity politics and want their leaders to focus on tangible, economic benefits.
The Likely Consequences of Trump’s Victory
- Retreat from Identity Politics: The Democratic Party will likely scale back its focus on identity politics and prioritize policies that resonate with rural white Americans, Black males, Latinos, and other groups concerned with economic issues. The shift may be an effort to win back these demographics, who were alienated by the party’s previous stance.
- Emergence of a New Progressive Force: As the Democratic Party edges closer to Republican policies, a new progressive force may rise within the party, advocating for the working class and marginalized groups. We have already seen signs of this with Bernie Sanders’ criticism of the party’s abandonment of the working poor, following Kamala Harris’ significant loss to Trump.
- A More Inward-Focused America: On the global stage, Trump’s victory suggests that the U.S. will continue to retreat from its imperialist policies. The American public is tired of their country’s costly and destructive interventions abroad. Under Trump, America is likely to focus on rebuilding itself, temporarily stepping back from global dominance. However, make no mistake—America will not stay in retreat for long. Once it regains its strength, it may return to the world stage with even greater aggression. Whether this strategy will succeed remains uncertain, as many nations are growing increasingly resistant to U.S. interference.
America’s Internal Contradictions and the Global Shift
The U.S. faces the challenge of addressing its internal contradictions. American political elites have long delayed dealing with these issues, relying instead on global exploitation and domination a well as insider trading on WallStreet for senators and representatives alike. But as the rest of the world catches up economically and technologically, the U.S. will be forced to compete fairly, rather than resorting to coercion and blackmail.
The American political system, especially its elites who have benefited from insider trading and financial manipulation, will be forced to work harder to defend their legitimacy. This may mean pleasing the public as much as they please their WallStreet financiers, a place many wouldn’t want to be.
The Implications for Africa
For Africa, Trump’s victory poses both a challenge and an opportunity. As the U.S. grapples with its own struggles, it will likely target weaker nations to exploit. Africa, if not refocused to act as a unified force in building up our own capacity but perpetually rely on begging, we could face an exploitation never seen before.
The African people must rally behind the African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) to reclaim sovereignty and rebuild the continent. Without this unity, Africa will remain vulnerable to foreign exploitation. The ACUP offers a path forward, one that involves displacing the neocolonial representatives who currently masquerade as African presidents, and installing a new order that will drive rapid development.
It is time for Africa to rise, and the ACUP is ready to lead the charge.
Kwame Gonza
Rotating Chairperson
African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) Global
kwamegonza@africanacup.org
www.africanacup.org
