Is Orange the new Black?

Is Orange the new Black?

Many of my friends from politics asked me about my opinion on US Presidential election result. I answered them by another question, “Is Orange the new Black”? Trump’s win is another blow to the political establishment after Brexit, heaven knows how many more to come. French Presidential election is just there, watch out!

What is going wrong? Does Trump win mean the end of “Liberal-democracy”? Why no-longer the working-class see the “left” or “center-left” as their representatives? The whole world is still shocked with Trump’s victory. His victory has proved prediction of every pollster, pundit and political scientists as wrong. A man without any experience of holding public office or any record of showing regards to working class has become champion of  the “working-class” suddenly? A women who was First-lady, Senator and US Secretary of state has lost election against a man who ran the most lousiest and divisive campaign in the history of the modern politics. A man who constantly diminished immigrants, women and Muslim has become leader of the free world. Well, certainly we need to remember the foundation of America; US government, while permanent, is always provisional. The key of White House has been transferred from and to individuals who often think differently. But not to a demagogue nor a candidate who was endorsed by notorious KKK. Anyone who spent time in front of tele watching Trump’s speeches or debate would certainly agree that Trump isn’t a plan guy, in fact he has no plan, no credential policy nor he did any home-work before appearing in front of large crowd. American has a long-standing tradition of welcoming new ideas after every 4 to 8 years. 70% time Trump lied during debate or any major speeches according to Politico but he did offer a change but a costly, dangerous, unrealistic change. Hillary Clinton did run a “safe” campaign and she was seen untrustworthy by many Americans. No doubt, James Comey’s FBI fuelled the “anti-Clinton” rhetoric exponentially during last week of October. 14% more white voters voted for Trump in 2016 comparing Mitt Romney’s in 2012 although the number of surrogates, celebrities and pundits were significantly less encouraged by Trump’s campaign. The biggest mistake of Hillary campaign was the failure to engage with the white working class people. America has a history of social division based on ethnicity and race. Mr. Trump made good business out of it. But how the most qualified candidate lost against the least experienced candidate? Why did Trump’s campaign resonate with so many people?
The “Left” or the “Democrats” has represented the working-class for many decades in USA. Fighting for decent wages, good working conditions, welfare for employees were core of the left-wing movement in the western world, still it remains the same. But then why the working-class feels so alienated or left-behind? 63% White male voted for Trump according to exit poll and majority of this demography comes from the “working-class”. I am not entirely convinced that Trump supporters are all racist, islamophobic and ignorant but I am certain about one issue and that is, all of them are against the “Establishment”. The common people are no longer interested in the facts or logic when it comes to practicing democracy, unfortunately, disregard for intellectualism is no longer considered as a backward looking approach.  Free-market liberal globalization has left too many people behind, it has increased income inequality, social deprivation and disenchantment. Neo-liberal economics has created a society where the rich enjoy the pleasure but the poor gets the pain. Trump is from the establishment but he has successfully brainwashed common people with his message to blame “immigrants” for all problems in America and a liberal left-lining candidate has seen as part of the “wall-street”. Here in UK, many working class people are also affiliated with the far-right wing political parties. Are they all racist? No, certainly not. The ordinary common people no longer see the “liberals” as their true voice.  The win of Trump is nothing but a wake-up call for the “liberalism”, the establishment needs to rejuvenate its strategy to renew its relationship with the common people. For more than half a century now, the interest and welfare of the working class were core values of the “left” movement but now it has been grasped by the far-right. I think this articulates a fundamental question, “Is Orange the new black/ Is the far-right new voice of the working class in the West”?