Arne O. Holm says New Year’s Resolution: More Conversations With People Who Disagree With Me
One, Donald Trump (to the left), repeats ideas from Hitler's "Mein Kampf." The other, John Lennon, asks us to give peace a chance. (Photo: Shealah Craighead, the White House / Joost Evers, Anefo)
Commentary: The US is singing Christmas carols with a presidential candidate who gathers inspiration from Adolf Hitler in his electoral speeches. It does not really help that Donald Trump insists that he has not read "Mein Kampf."
The last thing you would accuse Donald Trump of being is particularly well-read. It is, therefore, entirely possible to believe that his claim about immigrants "poisoning the blood of the nation" comes from himself and not from Nazi Hitler's claim of how "All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning."
The mindset is the same
The mindset and rhetoric are nevertheless the same.
But more has happened on the democracy front in the last week.
The other day, France adopted an immigration law supported by the extreme right party "National Rally." The leader of the party, Marine Le Pen, calls the law an ideological win for the far right. The law is so brutal that at least one government member has notified President Emmanuel Macron that she would withdraw from the government in protest.
Democracy has also had its complications in Poland this week after the country's Minister of Culture fired the entire management of the state TV company because they are on a political collision course with the government.
Russia is cooperating with North Korea.
Nearing the end of the week, Russia has announced what they call an "extensive" defense cooperation with what might be the world's worst dictatorship, North Korea.
Cannot take it for granted
We all have our wishes for Christmas.
Only the most brutal have their wishes granted. Because they can and have the power to fulfill their own ambitions to weaken democracies in favor of authoritarian governance systems.
I live in a world where democracy remains and where trust in decision-makers is still high. That is not something we should take for granted.
In June this year, the so-called Total Preparedness Commission presented its conclusions. Significantly under the title "This is serious." The commission analyzes the situation in Norway along four main axes: Great power rivalry, technological development, climate change, and demographic changes.
Nevertheless, the commission's emphasis on the importance of democracy in all these might be its most important contribution. Without democratic institutions and trust between those who rule and those who are ruled, none of the challenges can be resolved, as I read the commission's report.
High North News' comment section meets the wish.
I am struggling
I am increasingly struggling to understand how apparently democratic states turn their backs on their ideals and are applauded by the voters even when Hitler's ideas hit the election meetings. They are also celebrated when they threaten to withdraw support for Ukraine's battle to survive in the face of Russia or leave children terrified and alone in the Gaza Strip.
In March 2022, 350 private and public radio stations concurrently played John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Futile since the old Christmas wish of "peace on earth" is as realistic as a real Santa Claus nowadays.
When only the most undemocratic forces get their Christmas wishes granted, I will settle for a New Year's resolution.
The comment section
Next year, I will first and foremost talk to people I disagree with to understand where we who believe in democracy and international cooperation went wrong.
High North News' comment section meets this wish. Views across political standpoints are tested almost without personal attacks and moderation of the posts.
I will take that to the new year as a bright spot.
I will see you next year.
