The abyss
Trump has opened the way for the erosion of what little democracy remains in the world, and for an increasingly inexorable advance down the path that leads to post-democratic authoritarianism as a model for the degeneration of regimes of freedom.
What is Trump doing when he takes it for granted that he already rules Venezuela, and announces as imperative demands the progressive extension of his control to Greenland—currently the apple of his eye—and wherever else he deems convenient? Of course, he is disregarding the principle of sovereignty that still governs international relations, completely ignoring international law, existing agreements through the United Nations, and the decisions of international courts. His childishness, his behavior as an immature person who believes he can get away with anything, leads him to deploy a discourse that is ridiculous, however much it is protected by the power he has—and what he intends to have—but which is failing because no one stops him. His only limit is "his morality," which is precisely characterized by denying the notion of limits. And he says it bluntly: "I don't need international law." In other words: "My own judgment is the only thing that can stop me."
Trump represents a personalistic version of totalitarianism: I am the beginning and the end. Neither the citizens, nor the institutions, nor the legitimate authorities have any say. He, and only he. The contempt, dripping with sarcasm, shown to the democratic opposition in Venezuela is pathetic. Only the restoration of democracy could give any legitimacy to Trump's actions. But he has made it clear that his offensive was not for Venezuela to reconcile and get back on track. What he seeks is to find people willing to buy into his delusions. And indeed, Chavismo, by placing itself at his disposal, aspires to survive pathetically.
Totalitarianisms are intertwined. It would be good if the Democrats learned the lesson: Trump is not about saving democracies. And Europe's capitulation leaves a legacy. There are already those who are looking for arguments—this is as far as it goes—to make Trump's annexation of Greenland understandable.
Let's not fool ourselves, Donald Trump has given a face, excess, and arrogance to a process that has been evident for some time. And feigning surprise is useless: the degradation of democracy is underway. The European Union is surrendering to the dynamic imposed by the United States. Today, who represents the uniqueness, the difference, the convictions born of the turbulent 20th century that seemed to make Europe a bastion of democracy, capable of advancing it in the world? A fantasy from the second half of the last century that no longer holds water anywhere.
Trump's indecency, his exhibitionism, finds Europe increasingly subservient and with the far right on the rise, without any sign of being able to make a difference and defend the democratic tradition, which is declining irreversibly. One would hope that Trump's resounding warning might provoke a reaction. But the European right wing has surrendered, and the left wing that Sánchez intends to mobilize is increasingly domesticated. With varying degrees of awareness, these lifeless democracies, pregnant with the far right, are approaching the abyss opened by the American president. One need only look at one detail: every day more prominent voices find merit in Trump's unease. Democracy is on the brink.