Paranoid American politics should serve as a wake-up call for Europe.

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“American politics has often been an arena of anger,” historian Richard Hofstadter wrote in Harper’s Magazine in November 1964, referring to Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign.

His essay, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics,” explored a recurring phenomenon: the tendency to identify nefarious enemies and construct paranoid visions that seek to undermine American ideals.

Hofstadter described this as a mental attitude – exaggerated suspicions and conspiratorial fantasies – not psychiatric insanity, but a mindset accepted by otherwise healthy people. Ta. Criticisms of this paranoid style are repeatedly cited when American political life is characterized by deep-rooted fear and extremist rhetoric, as in the (new) Trump era.

Hofstadter’s insights once again resonate in today’s political climate. In the 1960s, Goldwater used fear that the country was in danger to justify extreme measures to protect freedom.

Fast forward to the Trump era and we see similar rhetoric that frames political opponents as an existential threat to American values. President Trump’s political messages have fueled the idea that the nation’s identity and future are at stake, leading to dangerous outcomes such as the violent insurrection of January 6, 2021.

The Capitol riot was a stark manifestation of the paranoid style of modern American politics. Convinced that the election had been stolen, a mob violently stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results, threatening a peaceful transition of power that is one of the cornerstones of our constitutional democracy.

The event was a reminder that political rhetoric can lead to real-world violence. It is in these situations that the structure of the Constitution is truly tested. Current constitutional and legal safeguards put the former president on trial by a special counsel and parallel litigation that took President Trump to the Supreme Court to challenge his right to run for office.

However, the court did not take the unusual step of removing political leaders from politics in an election year. Nevertheless, the judgment was controversial and only revealed the current complex constitutional situation.

Can you afford to let your anger continue to escalate?

American politics today is driven by demographic changes and the fact that the once dominant white, male, Protestant majority no longer fully controls political discourse, and its social and economic standing is under threat. It reflects deep cultural anxieties, amplified by the perception that

Identity politics has taken on new forms, and this traditionally powerful group now sees itself as marginalized, fearing being ostracized by social change. This reversal has created a political movement that positions itself as the last defender of traditional American values.

On the other side of the political spectrum, opponents of this identity-based movement are moving away from identity politics and focusing on broader issues of inequality and social justice.

The challenge for the United States is whether it can still chart a path forward based on democratic ideals, or whether anger will continue to escalate and further divide the nation.

A vision based on constitutional democracy seeks to address these divisions through the language of peace, compromise, and inclusivity. It calls for dialogue, mutual respect and a return to civil political debate.

This approach is not simply about moderating the rhetoric, but reaffirming the principles that underpin democratic institutions: that compromise, not surrender, is a normal part of political life.

alarm bell for europe

This American crisis has implications beyond America’s borders, especially in Europe. Many European countries face unique social conflicts caused by cultural fragmentation, economic inequality, and populist movements.

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The tensions in the United States could be a harbinger of challenges facing European democracies. Europe’s social conflicts, fueled by fears about immigration, globalization, and changing social norms, reflect many of the same dynamics that have destabilized American politics.

The risk level of these social and political conflicts is alarmingly high. Constitutional democracy thrives on disagreement and debate, but it is built on a foundation of dialogue and compromise.

The ability to express dissent while respecting the system itself is essential, as are robust political processes, the existence of participatory mechanisms, and the protection of fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and the right to vote.

The US election could serve as a wake-up call for Europe to examine the health of its own democracy. European countries and the European Union as a whole must focus on ensuring that political institutions remain resilient and strengthening democratic qualities in the face of growing divisions.

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The ideals of progress that have animated the European project since its inception require sustained and collective effort and engagement across political spheres.

After all, democratic principles do not depend solely on wise leadership, but must be supported by broad and inclusive consensus.

In times of heightened political tension, the success of constitutional democracies depends on a collective understanding that progress is a shared responsibility, and the health of a democracy is measured not only by its institutions but also by its people’s engagement and participation. .

Graziella Romeo is Professor of Law at Bocconi University in Milan.

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