PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s proclamation of a “golden age” for America seems to be emerging from his vision of ultranationalism and global dominance. He conjures a future where America will “flourish and be respected again all over the world” and become “the envy of every nation.” Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping have similar visions of grandeur by recovering and redeeming their glorious past through economic and military dominance. How do we understand these megalomaniacal leaders who diminish us through their divisive rhetoric and impulsive actions?
In his book Inheritance: The Evolutionary Origins of the Modern World, prominent British anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse persuasively argues that three key evolutionary traits — conformism, religiosity, and tribalism — have moulded human behaviour throughout history, bringing about major transformations in human societies, from the development of agriculture to the ascent of empires.
Whitehouse argues that while these inherited evolutionary traits have propelled some of the greatest advancements in human history, they are now becoming catastrophic. In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, these deeply ingrained propensities threaten social cohesion, political stability, global peace, and even our environment.
Considering the rise of Trump and his recent imperialist vision, Whitehouse’s framework provides a fascinating lens through which to analyse domestic and current geopolitical trends.Trump, who earlier ran on an “America First” bandwagon promising to avoid new wars and reduce America’s role as the world’s sheriff, has since his re-election embraced a shockingly imperialist agenda to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland, possibly by military force, and using economic coercion to pressure Canada into becoming, more or less, the 51st state of the USA.
All this while Puerto Rico, a US territory, keeps dreaming of becoming a full state in the USA. Trump’s plan of expanding American territory and influence is expressive of the tribal instinct of enlarging one’s group and its resources at others’ expense. His statement about Canada, “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like and it would also be much better for national security,” demonstrates this vainglorious tribal thinking on a grand scale.
Seen through Whitehouse’s lens, it’s an assertion to expand the “American tribe” and strengthen its position against perceived external threats, Russia, China, et.al. Conformity, humanity’s other inherited trait, according to Whitehouse, helps explain how such radical ideas have gained acceptance among some sections of the US population. Trump’s knack for shaping narratives, encouraging conformity, and demanding loyalty among his supporters as well as government officials has been a key factor in his political rise.
His never-say-never military action in Panama and Greenland, along with statements like “The Panama Canal is essential to our nation,” establishes clearly how he proposes his expansionist ideas as vital for national security and prosperity. This expansionist vision encourages cohesion among his MAGA (Make America Great Again) base, who see these imperialist ambitions as conforming with their patriotic duty.
While not overtly religious, Trump’s vision of American expansion and dominance is often articulated with a sense of moral certitude, resonating with religious narratives of chosen people.
Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025