Sir — US presidential nominee Donald Trump has all but inherited the raw, gun-totting, reckless winner-takes-all spirit of the early settlers of America. The post-Civil War era saw the seeding of modern-day value systems in the US. A progressive faction with a democratic flavour and the entrepreneurship of later-day immigrants saw the nation grow rich and powerful, but its predatory conservative bent helped America stay the old way as well.
As stakes in the US grew higher, the two streams of the nation’s existential philosophy produced leaders suited for the times and its die-hard followers. The viciousness of the ongoing presidential debates reflects the degree of schism.
The likes of Trump should help us grasp this reality. After all, he was anointed by the Republican party. As other nations gain political and economic strength, it can only be expected that the US gets to be increasingly conservative — to the extent of perhaps opting for isolation. One can only hope that America postpones entering this phase for as long as possible.