Willem de Vlaming (April 2025)
The trumpist flavoured 'dog eat dog' mindset is in part defined by the idea that: realization of individual / national success is blocked by any form of organized domestic or international solidarity, empathy, diversity, equity, inclusion or rule of law.
It strives to optimize the individualization of the competition of the zero-sum fight for a piece of the pie of wealth and happiness — in which one person's / nations gain must come at the expense of another's loss. This requires desconstructing any form of organized domestic or international solidarity, empathy, diversity, equty, inclusion or rule of law.
It is looking at mitigating its trade deficit with a zero sum approach, but not at redistributing its internal wealth diztribution to mitigate the wealth deficit of large parts of its population. It approaches external imbalances, like the trade deficit, with aggressive, zero-sum tactics: tariffs, protectionism, currency manipulation accusations, etc. — as if the key to national prosperity lies in beating other countries in a global competition, or submission.
But internal imbalances, like extreme wealth inequality or the erosion of the middle class, are largely left to "market forces." Redistribution—via taxation, public services, or wealth taxes — is painted as un-American or even socialist. So instead of addressing the internal "wealth deficit", the system prioritizes defending national wealth from outsiders rather than sharing it more fairly within.
This mirrors the belief that success is a personal or national competition, not a collective enterprise. The idea of lifting all boats through solidarity or equitable policy is viewed with suspicion, while domination in global trade is pursued as if it will fix what are really domestic structural issues.
It is almost the direct opposite of the Rhinelandic view on society and business. Which emphasizes social responsibility, fairness, and cooperation. the Rhinelandic view values a balanced approach to economic and social life, where personal success is seen as interconnected with the well-being of the community. In business, the focus is on ethical practices, long-term sustainability, and the welfare of employees and society. The model encourages collaboration over competition, where businesses contribute to social stability and economic equality, and fairness is prioritized over purely individual gain. This approach fosters trust, solidarity, and a strong sense of community, social solidarity, fairness, and collective well-being.
The trumpist flavoured 'dog eat dog' mindset also contrasts with the concept of 'it takes a village to raise a child', which embodies the idea that individual well-being, growth, and success are communal responsibilities. Reflecting values like: shared responsibility; interdependence; empathy and support; long-term investment in collective outcomes
It implies that children (and by extension, people) thrive when surrounded by a supportive, caring community, and institutions.
The trujmpist mindset can lead to systemic neglect: schools underfunded, childcare unaffordable, healthcare tied to personal income, and so on. Because if society doesn’t believe in the "village," then there’s no moral imperative to build or maintain one. The “village” model supports sustainability, equity, and human development, while the hyper-individualist model often maximizes short-term competition and inequality.