Yes. It sounds crazy, and I realize this; but, let me explain. Who would have thought Donald Trump would have been a viable presidential candidate six months ago? Not I. But with many polls predicting a virtual tie, divided Democratic support, and Hillary Clinton’s rumored health issues, maybe the Democratic Party should start thinking about what happens if Donald Trump does, in fact, seize the White House. They could start by realizing they have history on their side. So you ask, how would the best thing for Democrats be a Trump Administration?
Some have said patience is a virtue. As Americans, we want what we want right now. But maybe all the Democratic Party has to do is wait their turn. American Historian and social critic, Arthur Schlesinger, developed a model that sought to explain the shifts in political sentiment and “national mood” within the country that is known as the Cyclical Theory. This theory has three basic phases: public interest phase, transitional phase, and a private interest phase. For example, public interests would be described as welfare, public schooling and social security; whereas, private interests could mean deregulation and a more-raw form of capitalism—or laizzez-fare. Throughout more recent history, such a trend can easily be seen. With an era of liberalism comes an era of conservatism, and thereafter comes another era of liberalism, and the cycle goes on and on. Take for example, the 1930s, Great Depression Era. Notice how Franklin D. Roosevelt came to power after the conservative Republican Herbert Hoover had been in office. After Roosevelt’s death, Harry S. Truman took office and henceforth, won another term. It is no coincidence that he was a Democrat. You can see the Cyclical Theory at work throughout almost the entirety of the 20th century’s political mood.
With that evidence in mind, imagine a Trump victory and a Trump Administration, or in the terms of the Cyclical Theory, the private interest phase. These ‘private interests’ can lie from his radical beliefs on immigration to his tax plan proposal. With such radical moves towards the far right of the political spectrum, Trump’s Administration could alienate many traditional Republicans. Theoretically, said Republicans would vote, next, for the whomever opposed Trump. Imagine if Trump accomplished just one-fourth of his radical rhetoric. Seems like a liberal backlash would concur when many people saw how far right the country was heading.
Fast forward to the Presidential Election of 2020. What happens? Just assume Trump runs for reelection and is opposed by a Democratic candidate. If Trump caused such an uproar and backlash during his administration, the odds of his reelection would be slim. Finally, to the point. The Democratic candidate wins the Election of 2020 and ushers in an entire new era with virtual liberal Democratic dominance over the United States. Just like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election and subsequent four terms, a liberal reaction was needed for a conservative orders’ actions, and vice versa.
So maybe instead of focusing on the up-coming election, maybe it is time for the Democrats to be a bit more patient and wait their turn. It might even be best. They will be on the rise again if Schlesinger’s model turns out to be right. All the Democrats need to do to be dominate after 2016 is lose.
