More of the same

The thumping victory of Donald Trump in the US elections, contrary to the pre-poll assessments and forecast of the US media, has not only baffled political pundits around the world but the US media as well.

People are asking how the US media, considered vibrant and well-informed, could draw such inaccurate conclusions about the outcome of the elections. How did a person like Donald Trump, who was almost a non-entity in American politics, manage to orchestrate such a big upset?

The answer is that American media, which is the creation of and a staunch proponent of the corporate culture, failed to notice the economic and social inequalities generated by the corporate system over a long period of time, and the seething resentment among the less privileged in society. They also failed to understand the impact of the rising xenophobic sentiments on the psyche of the American public, and to some extent weariness about US involvement in overseas conflicts which has led to a substantial drain on resources which could have been spent on the welfare of the American people.

The answer to the second question is that Donald Trump owes his success, to a great extent, to his dexterity and ability to manipulate those feelings. His radical ideas and rhetoric created a strong bond between him and the people.

Trump’s victory has raised alarm bells within the US. The world community too is quite apprehensive about the course the US will adopt under his stewardship, due to the baggage of election promises and assertions about the policies that he is going to pursue. Some circles also believe that his victory was a negation of ‘The American Dream’.

The pertinent question that one may ask is: will he be able to implement what he has promised? Has the US really been trumped by him? Playing safe, my assessment is that things said and done during election campaigns are often tinged with sentiments and hyperbole to win the franchise of the people. When it comes to implementing those promises, things pan out in a different way. The fears being expressed are rather exaggerated. The American dream remains intact.

There is nothing to be alarmed about in his victory – both in the case of the American people and the fraternity of nations. During his victory speech, Trump did talk about cooperation and taking along all the segments of American society. The responsibility of leading America as a result of his victory immediately might still have a soothing effect on him. The remaining sharp edges will be blunted when he actually takes over the presidency. The American establishment will brief him on the ground realities and how US interests are better served.

The American system of governance is a great leveller. State institutions are strong and have a tradition of even defying the dictates of the most powerful president. Except for a few changes here and there, Trump will not be able to make drastic changes in the American outlook about the world and turn things topsy-turvy on the internal front, as feared by many.

Looking at things from the perspective of relations with Pakistan, they will remain transactional as they have been in the past and the US will continue its traditional tilt towards India to pursue its strategic and commercial interests in this region. This approach has a bipartisan support. Trump or Hillary makes no difference.

The US will keep its pressure on Pakistan to cap its nuclear programme and persist with its mantra to ‘do more’ in dealing with the terrorists and abandoning the alleged soft corner for the Haqqani Network. Lack of trust will continue to vitiate relations between the two countries. The US has not released the Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan during the current year owing to the suspicion that Pakistan has continued to pursue its policy of distinction between the good and bad Taliban.

Unfortunately, Pakistan has failed to lend credibility to its changed narrative about non-state actors and the efforts to proceed against terrorist outfits indiscriminately. The presence of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil, the admission of the presence of Taliban Shura in Quetta after denying it for a long time and the killing of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in Pakistan have actually eroded the credibility of our current narrative. The past keeps haunting us and no one knows how long it will continue to undermine our national interests. A sustained, credible and transparent effort is needed to erase the negative impression about Pakistan.

Trump might be a little more vociferous about these issues but may not be able to adopt a hostile posture towards Pakistan as indicated by him during his election campaign. The US may be more tilted towards India under Trump but it cannot abandon Pakistan altogether. Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance will keep the US engaged with the country. Similarly, Pakistan – no matter how heavy the odds – cannot afford rupture of relations with the US.

Pakistan belongs to South Asia and its economic progress and security are inextricably linked to this region. It is said that the worth of a nation depends on its economic and military strength as well as political stability in the country. That gives it the added strength and clout to amicably manage international relations.

The policy of the current government to build regional linkages for shared economic prosperity, improving relations with Russia and joining the CPEC initiative are very commendable and realistic steps to make Pakistan an economic power house and to improve security environment in the region. The success of these initiatives, however, will depend on political stability in the country.

Our political leadership must pay heed to the challenges confronting the country and use their collective wisdom to winch Pakistan out of the quagmire that it is stuck into, instead of indulging in politics of self-aggrandisement and creating chaotic conditions in the country.

If we are able to set our own house in order and harness the potential that this country abundantly possesses to change the destiny of its people, no power on earth can harm us or treat us as a ‘ push over’. The answer lies in more democracy and the allegiance of all the political parties and the state institutions to the democratic order, established through the will of the people. That is what the Quaid prescribed. Any deviation from this prescription will keep us weak and wandering in the wilderness.

 

The writer is a freelance contributor.

Email: ashpak10@gmail.com