America Cannot Play the Victim Card

Among the characteristics of U.S. President Donald Trump, what particularly perplexes me is his obsessive use of popular resentment for his own political purposes.

- KAGEFUMI UENO

Among the characteristics of U.S. President Donald Trump, what particularly perplexes me is his obsessive use of popular resentment for his own political purposes. Trump has repeatedly alleged that the United States is a victim exploited by foreign countries, be they allies or non-allies. "For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike," Trump said on April 2 when he announced sweeping tariffs including 10 per cent global levies plus often far higher duties on a country by country basis.

This type of politics of resentment was foreseen over a decade ago by Michael J. Mazarr, who was then a professor at the National War College of the United States. In his article titled "The Age of Grievance: How to Play Resentment Politics" in Foreign Affairs in July 2014, Mazarr said that the world should be prepared for the arrival of an age of grievance in which the dynamics of international politics are no longer shaped only by geopolitical factors.

Equally important are such psychological factors as anger, grievance and a sense of alienation, he argued. He also said that political leaders have become keener to rebuild identity and to demand redemption in line with the seriousness of humiliations collectively incurred.

Mazarr referred to Russia and China as the major players of resentment politics. He also commented that jihadist groups successfully expanded their spheres of influence by capitalizing on people's grievances in the Middle East.