Trump’s unilateral pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal was a slap in the face of European
Union. Under Trump, the USA had also pulled out of the Paris Climate Change treaty too. But had Trump been born earlier and became contemporaries to the following historical figures, what would be the situation then?
1.Charles De Gaulle
De Gaulle was the believer of the French power. This French Resistance hero-turned- statesman’s mockery of the US was,“You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination”.These words acquired special status then in 1966, while Europe wide condemnation of the conflict in Vietnam grew.
As said before, De Gaule was the believer of French power and he genuinely believed in the French capability of giving their own foreign policy to the world.De Gaule sparked France’s rush to become a nuclear power and also withdrew from NATO command to retain military autonomy. But De Gaule’s macho stance cannot be imitated by Emmanuel Macron as we have seen his inability to delay Trump’s decision on the Syrian strike.
2.Alexis de Tocqueville, French Diplomat
‘Democracy in America’ was a treatise written by Alexis which is deemed as a breakthrough in sociology by some and some argue it defined Americans and their political system as seen by them.
According to de Tocqueville ‘blacks’ and ‘indians’ were inferior citizens in a democracy and they will never integrate in it as per his opinion. Late stage liberal society was prophesied when he said that in a democracy common lives will “restlessly revolve around themselves, and circling for petty pleasures” and “indifferent to the destiny of others”.
3.Vladimir Lenin, Leader of the Soviet Union.
The architect of the Soviet Union and creator of the first viable 20th century alternative to a capitalist state was the West’s only true international rival. Vladimir Putin, the current leader of Russia is in this attempt to re-establish Russia as a self reliant pillar in a multi polar world. But the constraints and oppurtunities of the economy and globalization how far will allow him to complete his dream is a debatable one.
Lenin’s famous words ““The American people, who set the world an example in waging a revolutionary war against feudal slavery, now find themselves in the latest, capitalist stage of wage-slavery to a handful of multimillionaires, and find themselves playing the role of hired thugs for the benefit of wealthy scoundrels.”
See also : Frozen Trump
4.Olof Palme, Sweden’s Prime Minister
The words from Sweden’s center-left leader which came after the US dropping of 20,000 tons of explosives on Vietnamese invited sharp reactions and actions from Washington.The words were like:
“Many atrocities have been perpetrated in recent history. They are often associated with a name: Guernica, Oradour, Babi Yar, Katyn, Lidice, Sharpeville, Treblinka. Violence triumphed. But posterity has condemned the perpetrators. Now a new name will be added to the list: Hanoi, Christmas 1972.”
After these words, the US withdrew its ambassador for a year and refused to accept Stockholm’s nominee for a mirror role.
Palme was the most high profile and consistent Western critic of US Foreign Policy from the 1960s until his assasination in 1986. He introduced “Swedish Model” as an alternative to the US neoliberalism for Europe and America. But this Swedish socialist’s Open-Door Immigration Policy left Sweden busy with domestic issues.
5.George III, King of England
“I hope that my people in America would have discerned the traitorous views of their leaders, and have been convinced, that to be a subject of Great Britain, with all its consequences, is to be the freest member of any civil society in the known world.”
The US independence was not only a result of the battle of ideas but also chieved with the cannons of the rebelious colonists. There were economic factors behind it and the US Founding Fathers skillfully used it.
George III’s speech has been given as just an example speech which is needed now to dissuade Donald Trump from his activities.
Courtesy : Russia Today
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