American society is plagued with serious imbalances, and although the United States and China are not the same, US President Donald Trump can still draw inspiration from how China is restoring harmony to its society, which is also out of sync after decades of high but lopsided economic growth.
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Chinese leaders from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping are discerning pupils of history. Broadly speaking, policymaking is shaped by a trifecta matrix comprising philosophy, power and pragmatism.
An imbalance in this trifecta brings repercussions; the devastating chaos of the Cultural Revolution is a painful reminder. But when judiciously balanced, the trifecta leads to stability and prosperity, with China’s reform and opening up a case in point.
Trump’s immediate priority should be to stabilise America. But the opposite is happening as his egotistical demeanour and sledgehammer approach further polarises and destabilises American society.
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (Maga) vision was a non-starter with university-educated voters who felt it undermined rights and freedoms. Conversely, working-class voters who felt left behind and were disillusioned by income inequality rallied to Trump’s vision.
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Working-class voters’ resentment was so deep-seated it swept Trump into power despite his felony conviction. This is unprecedented in US history, and reflects the deep disparity between the grass roots and elite.