Although Western countries are not exempt from criticisms regarding their negative influences around the world, they have long enjoyed awe, respect, and recognition due to their significant contributions to making the world a better place—contributions that cannot be overlooked. Almost like a convention or unspoken agreement, there seems to be a consensus about the virtues, characters, philosophies, and actions deemed most noble, acceptable, and beneficial to celebrate, emulate, and encourage. Stories of such values have always been shared to inspire and contribute to the betterment of humanity.
These narratives often center on personal noble values—values that hold no substitute as the “best policy” for promoting human dignity, peace, and happiness across communities. Core principles like integrity, selflessness, inclusivity, human rights, freedom, fairness, and respect for diversity are celebrated, while discriminatory tendencies such as racism, tribalism, and bias are discouraged.
Many Western leaders, political figures, great thinkers, scholars, and activists have significantly contributed to modern civilization, striving to make the world a fairer place in many areas.
This includes upholding high noble values such as selflessness, integrity, hard work, dedication to worthy causes, and the promotion of positive contributions and inspiration. Additionally, the development of democracy has played a crucial role in promoting peace, equality, human rights, and freedom—opposing monarchies or autocratic systems reliant on compulsion or force. Democracy empowers the people, allowing them a voice rather than subjecting them to the whims of rulers. Milestones like the American Bill of Rights (1791) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) highlight the West’s pivotal role in advancing human rights.
Furthermore, western countries have made invaluable contributions to scientific and technological advancements, inspiring global innovation and driving revolutions in science and technology. Economically, they pioneered the capitalist system, fostering growth, development, and globalization. The Western education system has also been instrumental in encouraging critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and intellectual freedom. Alongside these achievements, western nations have profoundly influenced cultural exchange and global values through their art, literature, and music. Philanthropy and humanitarian efforts also stand as noble causes rooted in Western ideals of selflessness and moral responsibility.
Many Western leaders and political figures are lauded for their noble values, moral principles, and exceptional character, which remain reference points of inspiration worldwide.
Their approach often emphasizes moderation, empathy, inclusivity, dignity, respect for diversity, freedom, and advocacy for vulnerable groups—qualities considered universal norms and best practices in creating a just world. Such unifying standards have shaped political expectations, demanding noble character traits such as trustworthiness, fairness, humility, tolerance, emotional intelligence, and integrity. However, these ideals face challenges from U.S. President Donald Trump’s ideologies, raising questions about their universal appeal and his capacity to inspire positively.
Trump’s conduct has often diverged from traditional American values of humility, emotional intelligence, respect for diversity, and dignity. Instead, his rhetoric has been marked by divisiveness, incendiary language, and insults, often amplified through social media. This led to his unprecedented permanent ban from Twitter on January 8, 2021.
Adding to this, just ten days before his second inauguration, Trump was sentenced by the Supreme Court on January 10, 2025, to an “unconditioned discharge” for a hush-money conviction. This marked the first time a sitting or former U.S. president faced criminal charges and reflects his flawed character. His legal troubles are only one among numerous criminal cases awaiting trial.
Despite these controversies, Trump appears to enjoy widespread popular approval from American citizens, many of whom seem to support his actions despite their stark contrast to the values and norms that have long defined America’s global reputation as a noble agenda-setter in various spheres of life.
While Trump possesses commendable qualities—such as his entrepreneurial acumen, business strategies, and investment ideas, which have inspired many—concerns remain about endorsing values and political ideologies associated with him. Trumpism, with its challenge to established global norms and values of acceptable conduct and character, attempts to redefine these principles.
His ideology, rooted in right-wing populism, authoritarian tendencies under the guise of nationalism, and an “America First” agenda, opposes immigration and globalization. This approach has provoked sentiments linked to racism, sexism, xenophobia, and polarizing policies that could potentially undo the progress of modern civilization. Trump’s frequent use of emotionally charged and unmoderated exchanges on social media has also been criticized for legitimizing cyberbullying, censorship concerns, and groupthink.
Recent reports of controversial actions, such as Trump’s prosecutor, Jack Smith, resigning from the Justice Department and the president planning mass deportations of immigrants from Chicago starting Tuesday, January 21, 2025—just one day after his second-term inauguration—have heightened concerns. These actions, which could involve separating families and potential abuses, diverge from the noble ideals of inclusivity and compassion historically associated with “Great America.”
The trajectory of Trumpism raises the question: can it genuinely inspire or contribute positively, or is it more likely to influence the world negatively, reversing the gains of modern civilization?
