The article questions Donald Trump's strategy of radically changing American institutions and foreign policy, relying heavily on instinct. It highlights his controversial actions, such as increasing tariffs and consulting with conspiracy theorists, as evidence against the feasibility of his approach.
The author argues that the current relatively peaceful and prosperous global order is partly due to the U.S.'s role as a benign hegemon promoting globalization and trade. Trump's actions, such as escalating trade wars and alienating allies, risk disrupting this order.
The article raises concerns that Trump's policies resemble a cultural revolution, aiming to suppress dissent and weaken key institutions. It cites a comparison with Mao Zedong's cultural revolution in China, emphasizing the potential negative global impact of a similar scenario in the U.S.