In Trump’s second term lies US downfall, claims Prof Zaman

“Give President Donald J. Trump a second term and I guarantee you a downfall of the US,” said Prof Dr Muhammad Zaman, the head of the Department of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).

His was not giving a sweeping statement; rather, a well thought-through and balanced prediction. The professor explained to The News in an exclusive interview that there comes a time when every society reaches a saturation point – a point after which its downfall sets in motion.

The American society has long been nearing its saturation point, he said. “China has long been rising as an alternative. China has no luggage of wars and cultural colonialism to carry. It means business and business only,” he defined. He said it is because of the investment-friendly policies of China that the world is feeling comfortable doing business with it.

“At a time when the US is facing tough competitions, the election of Trump has simply precipitated American downfall,” said Prof Zaman adding, “If you want an analogy, then rest assured that Trump is for the US what Gorbachev was for the USSR.” Gorbachev may be a darling for the west but the Russian people know him as their tormentor.

He said open provocations to religious hatred by a US president will sure cascade down to the far ends of the world. A wave of hate has already swept through different countries of the west, he said. It all started with the election of Modi as Indian prime minister but the election of President Trump has magnified its impact.

Prof Zaman, who has spent a considerable time in Europe as part of his engagements with different universities, said that after Trump’s election, far-right parties are gaining strength in international capitals. “Conservatives are rising in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark and Finland. Their rise means a journey of these societies backwards in history,” he said.

He said provocations by President Trump will lead towards a civil disorder in the US. Relatively, American is a cross-cultural society and people there will not take well to onslaught by state on any community on the basis of its religion or colour of skin of its members, he said.

“You will see riots on streets of the US if Trump continues with what he is best at – fanning hatred and a sense of insecurity. It is very possible that different states start demanding separation because people there do not agree with policies of Trump. Hence, the US will move towards disintegration the way USSR did under Gorbachev,” he said.

Prof Zaman believes that Pakistan can become a hub of the world business if it focuses on its communications infrastructure. “Gwadar is a good initiative. Under-sea tunnels should be dug to connect our cities with world capitals. It is possible and you will in the near future, people will line up at our embassies across the world to get a Pakistani visa,” he concluded.