Rewind Time: A Look at Past Events

In the political landscape of the 21st century, two powerful leaders, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, have been making waves, challenging the established norms that have evolved since the 19th century. Their approach to governance, reminiscent of pre-1848 styles, has raised concerns worldwide.

Trump's calling the army into Washington DC on flimsy grounds is a consolidation of his brute power base in the capital. This move, a departure from the principles of liberty, equality, and the rule of law, seeks to suppress the structures that embody these ideals.

Across the Atlantic, Putin's foreign policy borrows from 19th-century conservatism, using force to suppress revolutions and defending the sovereignty of authoritarian allies. He resembles a 21st-century Metternich, seeking to maintain a 'concert' of great powers that respect each other's spheres of influence and keep popular uprisings in check.

The global stage has changed since the 19th century, with institutions like the UN, EU, and ICC embodying the principle that some norms are universal and binding. Yet, both Trump and Putin resist these ideals, preferring a world in which strong rulers dominate the political stage, insulated from popular accountability.

Trump's political vision undermines the post-1945 rules-based order enshrining rights, constitutions, and democratic accountability. He describes independent judges, a free press, and congressional oversight as 'enemies' or 'obstacles'. His actions and speech consistently challenge the constitution within a constitutional democracy he cannot openly abolish.

The 'Revolutionary Year' of 1848 shattered a conservative consensus, leading to uprisings in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Milan, and Budapest. The post-1848 trajectory pointed toward mass politics, rights-based governance, and legal limits on rulers' power. In contrast, Trump and Putin seem to want to pull the world back to a pre-1848 style of governance, where constitutions were seen as dangerous concessions to popular sovereignty.

The urgency of the situation is evident in an appeal for prayer for Ukraine's 34th National Independence Day, August 24. The ongoing Russian war against Ukraine has been a point of contention at the USA-Russia Summit in August 2025 in Alaska, where Trump and Putin met but ended without any substantive agreements or peace plans, raising concerns about possible territorial concessions and the future of the Ukraine conflict.

Jeff Fountain, the Director of the Schuman Centre for European Studies, underscores the importance of standing firm against these regressive tendencies. Constitutional monarchies became more common, parliaments gained real powers, and the liberal idea that governments derived authority from the governed steadily advanced. It is crucial to preserve and protect these hard-won gains.

In a world where censorship was rampant, and security networks spied on dissenters, the advancements in democracy and human rights are a beacon of hope. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, it is essential to remember the lessons of history and uphold the ideals of liberty, equality, and the rule of law.