MAGA: Make America Great Again or Beginning of The End

The United States: the world’s leading military power, the largest economy, and the pioneer of technology. But what happened that led Donald Trump to win by claiming he would "Make America Great Again"? Isn't America already great?

The truth is, the U.S. is no longer the frictionless superpower we once imagined. The cycle of political instability over the last decade indicates a deep structural paralysis. The rise of China and Washington's inability to track every regional development suggest that the 80-year-old world order, which served U.S. interests, is no longer sustainable.

Political Instability and the Vicious Cycle

When Donald Trump was first elected in 2016, his slogan alone spoke volumes. He questioned the bedrock of U.S. foreign policy: "maintaining world peace" and spreading "democratic values." This shook the Western allies who had lived under the U.S. security umbrella for eight decades.

Inside the country, Trump declared war on the "Establishment"—the bureaucracy, judiciary, and media. While this friction initially led to his 2020 defeat—exacerbated by his mishandling of the pandemic—the Biden era’s "return to normalcy" proved to be a temporary calm. Biden’s multilateralism was perceived by some as weakness. As global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict remained unresolved, and domestic issues like the migrant crisis and inflation grew, Americans turned to Trump once again in 2024.

Now, with control over both the House and the Senate, Trump wields unprecedented power. His second term began with a shock: withdrawing from the WHO and treating traditional allies in Europe and NATO as adversaries. The world we were born into—and the balance of power we took for granted—is being fundamentally dismantled by a U.S. administration that openly flouts international law to prioritize its own interests.

Loss of Global Influence and External Dependency

In the early 1950s, the U.S. accounted for 40% of global GDP. Today, that figure has shrunk to 15%. Manufacturing, once the backbone of the American middle class, has dropped to a mere 10% of the economy, which is now 80% service-based.

The U.S. has become dangerously dependent on external production, particularly on China, which controls 30% of global manufacturing. Trump’s trade wars have largely failed to reverse this. With a trade deficit approaching $1 trillion, the U.S. faces a national security risk: its economy is hypersensitive to external shocks. If trade routes are cut, the system collapses. Currently, the U.S. military power is the only thing propping up the Dollar's status as a reserve currency—a dangerous paradox where it’s unclear if the military sustains the economy or the economy sustains the military.

Technological Stagnation and Lost Supremacy

U.S. hegemony was built on technological superiority, starting with the silicon revolution in Palo Alto. For decades, the "Always Run Faster" strategy kept the U.S. ahead. However, chip technology is now hitting the walls of physics. As we move from 1,000nm to 2nm transistors, the pace of innovation is slowing.

As the technological gap closes, the U.S. has shifted from "innovating" to "tripping the rival." By banning exports and patents to China, Washington is trying to stall the inevitable. But if the U.S. loses its technological edge, its military and economic dominance will surely follow.

Political Polarization and the Rise of Extremism

American society is now fractured into two irreconcilable camps. On one side are the Democrats, whose progressive policies on social issues and migration are seen by many as a threat to traditional family structures. On the other side are the Republicans, increasingly defined by isolationism and "White Supremacy" rhetoric.

The influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel has pushed the GOP toward extremism. Musk’s open flirtation with racial rhetoric has pushed Black voters almost entirely toward the Democratic camp, deepening the racial-political divide. Peter Thiel, a self-proclaimed critic of democracy, advocates for an autocratic, tech-focused governance.

This administration is now using federal agents—ICE—for what looks like a "witch hunt" in American cities. The recent killing of an innocent woman in Minnesota by an ICE agent, and JD Vance’s defense that they will go "door to door," suggests a drift toward a dystopian domestic reality.

Aggressive Foreign Policy and Isolation

Trump’s second term is characterized by "showing teeth." The U.S. recently violated international law by seizing Venezuelan oil and effectively kidnapping President Maduro without a declaration of war. Trump’s response to critics was blunt: "International law cannot stop me."

This aggression has extended to traditional allies. Trump’s fixation on Greenland—a territory of Denmark (a NATO and EU member)—has sparked a bizarre military standoff. As European nations station troops to protect Greenland, Trump threatens them with further tariffs. This aggressive stance is driving allies to seek new partners, such as China or Turkey. The message is clear: the world is no longer forced to rely on the U.S.

Conclusion: The End of the American Order

The U.S. knows the old world order is dead. If it weren't, it wouldn't be breaking its own rules. With a debt of $37 trillion, the U.S. lacks the stamina for a sustained global war. It relies on marketing its former glory and using aggressive posturing to mask its domestic fragility.

The plan to "Make America Great Again" is colliding with the reality of a multipolar world. The U.S. is becoming a prisoner of extremist ideas, and the 2026 midterm elections may be the final flashpoint for its internal stability. The American Era has ended; we are now witnessing the chaotic birth of whatever comes next.