Three Ways Trump Is Following Orban’s playbook

Constitutional scholar Kim Lane Scheppele of Princeton University recently highlighted three key strategies employed by Hungary’s Viktor Orban that former President Donald Trump appears to be emulating. These strategies involve consolidating power by targeting crucial institutions and resources.

Capturing the Referees

Scheppele points out that Orban “moved very quickly to capture the Constitutional Court which was the referee of the whole process. And if you capture the refs you can do all kinds of unconstitutional things and there’s no one around to tell you.” Trump,similarly,appointed conservative justices to the US Supreme Court.In July of last year, a 6-3 decision granted presidents “absolute immunity for acts committed as president.” This ruling has significant implications for presidential accountability and the balance of power.

Purging and Centralizing the Bureaucracy

Orban’s second step was to purge the bureaucracy and “replace them with all your cronies so that the state is wholly responsive to what you order from the top. That was crucial. And along with that came a massive centralisation of the executive branch.” Trump’s administration also focused on installing loyalists throughout the US government, often prioritizing loyalty over expertise. Recent developments show a continued emphasis on reshaping governmental bodies to align with specific political agendas.

controlling the Money

according to Scheppele,Orban “looked at every single place where the state budget was supporting the people who might oppose him. And he just cut their funding.” Trump’s administration also sought to redirect government funding, as exemplified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Unlike Hungary, the United States has historically been a major funder of global institutions such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as various domestic liberal organizations. Shifting away from this funding could have far-reaching global consequences.

America’s support for these things is also being dumped, along with funding for domestic liberal organizations, like universities.

The Perils of “Common Sense” vs. Science

Trump described his policies as a “common-sense revolution.” However,critics argue that these policies often disregard data,scientific inquiry,and expert analysis. As an example, the imposition of tariffs on Mexico and Canada lacked thorough economic analysis, leading to significant economic disruptions and requiring numerous exemptions.

The abandonment of efforts to reduce fossil fuels and combat climate change, driven by “common sense” rather than scientific consensus, risks dire environmental consequences as predicted by scientists.

The Question of Opposition

The effectiveness of opposition to these policies remains a critical question. While numerous lawsuits challenge government actions, Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the Berkeley School of Law at the University of California, asks, “If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What?” He argues that the future of American constitutional democracy hinges on the ability to enforce judicial rulings against potential executive overreach.

Financial markets may also play a role in challenging these policies. A significant stock market downturn or a bond market crisis could prove more difficult to ignore than court rulings.

The Future of Power

The long-term implications of these trends are significant. Orban has maintained power in Hungary for 15 years, controlling both the government and the flow of facts. While Trump may not seek a third term due to age, his administration could potentially install a successor who continues his policies, raising concerns about the future of American democracy and governance.

Conclusion

The parallels between Trump’s strategies and Orban’s tactics raise critical questions about the future of American democracy. From reshaping the judiciary to controlling funding and disregarding scientific consensus,these actions could have profound and lasting impacts. Whether effective opposition emerges from the courts, financial markets, or political rivals remains to be seen. Stay informed and engaged to safeguard the principles of democracy and accountability. Contact your representatives to voice your concerns and advocate for policies that uphold transparency and evidence-based decision-making.

In the context of the increasing popularity of populist leaders who often utilize tactics similar to those employed by Viktor Orbán, what are the most effective strategies for strengthening democratic institutions and norms against these increasingly prevalent challenges?

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Analyzing Authoritarian Tactics: An Interview with Dr. Eleanor Vance on Trump and Orban

The political landscape is constantly shifting, and understanding power dynamics is more crucial than ever. Today, we sit down with dr. Eleanor Vance, a comparative politics expert and author of “Erosion of Democracy,” to discuss the concerning parallels between former President trump’s strategies and those employed by Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Welcome, Dr. Vance.

Thank you for having me. I’m happy to be here to shed light on these vital issues.

Drawing Parallels: Trump’s Playbook and Orban’s Tactics

Dr. Vance, manny analysts have pointed to similarities between Trump’s actions and Orban’s approach to governance. Could you elaborate on the key strategies that appear to be mirrored?

Certainly. One of the most striking parallels is the focus on capturing the referee.Orban quickly moved to control Hungary’s Constitutional Court, neutralizing a crucial check on executive power. We saw something similar with Trump’s appointments to the US supreme Court, which have significant implications for judicial review and, as we saw last year, presidential accountability.

Bureaucratic Overhaul and Control of Resources

Beyond the judiciary, what other strategies are worth noting?

Another critical aspect is the systematic purging and centralizing the bureaucracy. Orban replaced key personnel with loyalists, ensuring the state responded directly to his directives. While perhaps less overt, Trump’s management also prioritized loyalty in appointments, aiming to reshape governmental bodies. And then there’s the issue of funding. Orban meticulously controlled the money, cutting funds to any organization that might oppose him. We saw echoes of this in Trump’s administration’s efforts to redirect governmental funding, even possibly impacting international organizations like the WHO and the UNFCCC.

The Peril of “Common Sense” Over Expertise

Trump often framed his policies as “common sense,” but critics argue this often disregarded expert analysis. What are your thoughts on this disconnect between policy and evidence?

This is a crucial point. The reliance on “common sense” over data and scientific inquiry is a hazardous trend. We saw it with the imposition of tariffs, which lacked thorough economic analysis, and with the abandonment of efforts to combat climate change. Ignoring expert consensus in favor of perceived practical solutions can lead to disastrous long-term consequences. It’s a tactic designed to resonate with a specific base while circumventing informed debate.

The effectiveness of Opposition and the Future of Power

Given these concerning trends, what is the role, and perhaps the limitation, of opposition in preventing further erosion of democratic norms?

Opposition is critical, but it faces significant challenges.While lawsuits can challenge government actions, the question remains: What happens if those actions are simply defied? Erwin Chemerinsky raises an essential point about the enforceability of judicial rulings. Financial markets may also exert pressure, but ultimately, a robust and engaged citizenry is the most vital safeguard. We must demand accountability and openness from our leaders.

A Thoght-Provoking Question

Dr. Vance, considering the parallels you’ve highlighted, what specific actions can individuals and civil society organizations take to actively protect democratic institutions and principles in the face of these strategies?