Ironically, a campaign built on “making America great again” bears a strong resemblance to right-wing movements overseas, past and present. Maybe the question, then, is not how Trump did it but why the United States hasn’t seen this kind of movement take off until now. Instead of underlining American exceptionalism, Trump is unleashing a political force that’s already prominent in other parts of the world.
For months, pundits dismissed Trump’s candidacy, arguing that once voters started paying attention, his lack of substance would crater his support. Now that he’s the Republicans’ presumptive nominee, it’s clear the early naysayers sorely miscalculated. The lesson from this race:
A strong cult of personality can trump ideology. And that’s been proved by generations of demagogues.
German philosopher Max Weber coined the term
charismatic authority to describe leaders whose power is built on their “exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character,” as opposed to the rule of law or simply brute force. Many may not regard Trump the candidate in an admirable light, but
to his followers, his business success and his personal wealth — which freed him from the unseemly campaign fundraising dance of his primary rivals —
make him inviolable.
The feeling of solidarity Trump offers his adherents—specifically those who have been alienated from mainstream politics—is as central to the mogul’s appeal as his blustery persona. It’s true that he is shockingly shallow on policy, but
his populist and nationalistic appeals hit people at a deeper level than his position on tax rates or spending proposals. Or at least they are more visceral. They are also central to the pitches right-wing movements in Europe have been making for more than a century.
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/05/20/how-trump-uses-playbook-europes-far-right-457566.html
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