Should we call this a revolution? Donald Trump is officially back in the White House. This time, experts say, he is out to reshape the US, and the whole world, in his own image.
'New world order' as Trump takes oath
Should we call this a revolution? Donald Trump is officially back in the White House. This time, experts say, he is out to reshape the US, and the whole world, in his own image.
Legend has it that in 1789, after crowds stormed the BastilleA fortress in Paris used as a prison by France's kings. It was stormed by an armed mob during the French Revolution. prison in Paris, Louis XVI asked one of his counsellors: "Is it a revolt?" The reply: "No, sire. It is a revolutionA sudden change in the way things are done.."1
Across the globe, and above all in countries allied with the US, political leaders were asking the same question after Donald Trump was sworn back into power yesterday.
And this time he gave them the answer himself, declaring in his inauguration speech that he would unleash a "revolution of common sense".
More important still is what he said before the ceremony. Speaking at a rally in the US capital, he promised by the end of the day, he would have halted what he calls an "invasion" of illegal immigration, pardoned imprisoned JanuaryThen-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results. rioters, and overhauled the national curriculum to remove references to critical race theoryA set of ideas and academic field suggesting that racial bias is inherent in parts of Western society, especially legal and social institutions. and transgenderSomeone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology). people.2
Indeed, it was reported before his inauguration that his team had planned for more than 100 executive ordersIn the US, orders written by the president that does not require approval from the legislature, Congress. to be released on the very first day of his presidency.3
It adds up to the most extensive use of executive powerThe power of the part of government that executes or enforces the law. In the US, the executive branch is the president. by any president in history. Which is why some think he is right to describe what he is doing as a revolution.
The purpose of the original revolution, the French RevolutionThe overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France's king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide. of 1789, was to create a new society by restoring ancient moral values of virtue and selflessness. In other words, it was seeking to return to an idealised image of the past.
Trump, some say, is looking to do the same thing: restore the country to a more rugged time, when men ruled over both the nation and their own families and capitalismA form of economy characterised by private property and competition between companies. knew no bounds.
And just as the French Revolution turned society on its head in a matter of months, so too is Trump determined to shake the foundations of his own nation as quickly and as radically as possible.
Yet others say none of this is as sudden as it looks. The seeds were sown by a succession of presidents from both parties, who expanded the power of the presidency while reducing its accountability. This is sometimes referred to as the "imperial presidency".4
Seen from this angle, Trump is less a revolutionary force than the result of a long process, begun in at least the 1930s, that has transformed the presidency into a monster.
Should we call this a revolution?
Yes: No other word could suffice for a programme of ripping up decades of precedent and ushering in an all-new order. The French Revolution ended with all of Europe at war. We must hope this new American Revolution does not have the same effects.
No: There is nothing new under the sun, and Trump is no exception. He is simply doing what all presidents before him did: expanding the powers of his office in unaccountable ways.
Or... Whatever we choose to call this, Trump clearly intends to wield huge power over the next four years. Whoever replaces him in four years' time, it will be difficult to undo his work.
Bastille - A fortress in Paris used as a prison by France's kings. It was stormed by an armed mob during the French Revolution.
Revolution - A sudden change in the way things are done.
6 January - Then-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results.
Critical race theory - A set of ideas and academic field suggesting that racial bias is inherent in parts of Western society, especially legal and social institutions.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Executive orders - In the US, orders written by the president that does not require approval from the legislature, Congress.
Executive power - The power of the part of government that executes or enforces the law. In the US, the executive branch is the president.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France's king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Capitalism - A form of economy characterised by private property and competition between companies.
‘New world order’ as Trump takes oath

Glossary
Bastille - A fortress in Paris used as a prison by France's kings. It was stormed by an armed mob during the French Revolution.
Revolution - A sudden change in the way things are done.
6 January - Then-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results.
Critical race theory - A set of ideas and academic field suggesting that racial bias is inherent in parts of Western society, especially legal and social institutions.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Executive orders - In the US, orders written by the president that does not require approval from the legislature, Congress.
Executive power - The power of the part of government that executes or enforces the law. In the US, the executive branch is the president.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France’s king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Capitalism - A form of economy characterised by private property and competition between companies.