Now that Donald Trump has been president of the United States for six days, we are seeing quite a few parallels between him and Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in their mindset, personality, and leadership style.
The similarities are so striking that I look forward to the research made on this by fellow social scientists. Certainly there are lessons to be learnt and knowledge to be created in this area that will aid in understanding them and this part of history, particularly with regard to their sudden rise and prominence on the world scene.
Both leaders are unconventional, egoistic, and narcissistic. These characteristics and their respective ideologies—Duterte left-leaning but sexist, Trump conservative and sexist—have caused them to reshape public policies to fit their agendas.
Duterte’s ferocious hatred of drugs has led to his creation of a vicious strategy that has killed thousands of petty drug users and pushers as well as innocents caught in the crossfire. Operation Tokhang has claimed the lives of many without due process.
Trump’s eager dismantling of former US president Barack Obama’s liberal legacy started on Day One of his administration. He has signed approval orders for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota pipeline, formerly scuttled for environmental reasons. He has ordered the immediate construction of The Wall on the border between the US and Mexico. He has gagged the external communications of at least 17 federal agencies.
These two began their meteoric rise as longshots, so their accession to power shocked the globe. With Russia’s Vladimir Putin also on the scene, are we looking at a return of the strongman figure to world politics?
Students of history will recall that previous instances of the same ultimately failed because political absolutism has proved inimical to the best interests of a society. The careers of Hitler, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Marcos, Mengistu, and Mao, to name a few, have been scarred by the countless killed and tortured in their efforts to seize, consolidate, and keep power. Duterte has floated the idea of imposing martial law in response to alleged slay plots against himself, a tactic reminiscent of Marcos.
Many social scientists—historians, psychologists, sociologists, and the like—as well as journalists and writers, have delved into the lives of dictators in an attempt to understand them and their actions, and the results and consequences of those actions.
After all, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said Santayana, and it is disappointing that despite this aphorism becoming so well known that it is a cliché, a great swath of humanity, particularly those in power, have not taken it to heart.
For many it seems that we are repeating the past, returning to the days when one man’s whim directed the course of a nation.
Perhaps as we gather and construct knowledge and understanding of these matters, we will be more prepared and capable of averting any catastrophes that may arise in the future, though of course we hope that it does not come to that.
But if it should, then let us be ready.
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In relation to my thoughts on studying the renewed ascent of the autocrat, here is a venue for researchers to share their work with others.
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino has issued a call for papers for the Pandaigdigang Kongreso sa mga Pag-Aaral Hinggil sa Filipinas sa Wikang Filipino (International Conference on Philippine Studies in the Filipino Language).
Focus will be placed on the disciplines of history, culture and cultural studies, literature, and languages and linguistics. Filipino is the language to be used in the written work and oral presentation.
Some of the topics suggested by the KWF are: Ang Bayan at Kasaysayan, Pagwawasto sa Kasaysayan, Ang Etniko at ang Popular, Wika at Media, Gramatikang Filipino, Kasalukuyang Tunguhin sa Lingguwistika, and others.
This year’s conference theme is “Pagbabalik, Pagbabantayog sa Filipino” and will be held Aug. 2 to 4 at the National Museum. The deadline for submission of abstracts of papers has been extended to Feb. 16.
Email [email protected] the following information: name, affiliation, abstract not exceeding 250 words, organization, and telephone number, or send a letter to the KWF at 2/F Gusaling Watson, 1610 Jose P. Laurel St., San Miguel, 1005 Manila.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember