The Former President's Approach Constitute a Danger to Our Social Fabric.

The domestic and foreign strategies – ranging from the effort to overturn the election in the past to latest incursions and statements – erode not only domestic and international legal frameworks. However, the issue goes deeper.

These actions jeopardize the core idea of a civilized world.

A moral purpose of any advanced culture is to forestall the more powerful from preying upon and using the vulnerable. Failing that, we could find ourselves locked in a conflict of all against all where only the fittest prevails.

This principle is central of America’s founding documents. This is also the heart of the postwar international order advocated by the United States, which stresses collective action, democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law.

However, it is a delicate ideal, frequently ignored by those who seek to abuse their authority. Preserving it necessitates that the those in charge have enough integrity to avoid seeking short-term wins, and that the rest of us ensure they answer for their actions should they falter.

Unchecked strength does not make right. It leads to turmoil, chaos, and conflict.

Whenever people or corporations or countries that are richer and more powerful target and use those that are not, the framework of our shared norms unravels. If such aggression are allowed to continue, the system fails. Without intervention, the world can plunge into disorder and conflict. We have seen this pattern previously.

Our current reality is a international landscape with deepening divides. Political and economic power are held by fewer hands than in modern history. This invites the elite to exploit the weaker because they feel omnipotent.

The resources of certain tycoons is almost beyond comprehension. The power of big tech, big oil, and large defense contractors extends over a vast portion of the world. Artificial intelligence is could consolidate wealth and power even more. The offensive capability of the world's largest nations is unprecedented in the annals of time.

Empowered by a compliant faction and a sympathetic high court, the highest office has been made into the most powerful and unaccountable entity of government in history.

Put it all together and you see the danger.

An unbroken thread ties past transgressions to ongoing threats. These were premised on the hubris of absolute power.

There is much the same in other global contexts: in wars of aggression, in strategic threats, and in the worldwide exploitation by massive conglomerates.

But, strength without restraint does not create right. It makes for instability, upheaval, and war.

Historical evidence demonstrates that laws and norms to check the influential also shield them. Absent these limits, their relentless pursuit for more power and wealth in time bring them down – taking down their enterprises, countries, or domains. And threaten global conflict.

This blatant disregard for rules will haunt international stability – and the very idea of a rules-based order – for years to come.

Carl Goodwin
Carl Goodwin

Elara is a passionate writer and innovation coach, sharing her expertise to help others unlock their creative potential.