Addendum/follow up to my blog on the 3rd of February 2025:
Going back to Trump, his recent interview with Netanyahu shows us exactly what happens when two Nationalist leaders share the same polarised viewpoints. They seek validation and reinforcement from each other that both their actions and thoughts are right, and that anyone who disagrees is wrong, even evil. They develop confirmation bias and dismiss anything that opposes that, even if the challenging information is rational and credible.
Thus because their views are rarely being checked, they also become less skilled at critically evaluating information. Sometimes accepting distorted evidence if it supports their values or going out of their way to create false narratives to further garner more support from those who sympathize with their agenda. This then leads to group thinking where there is pressure to agree with certain prejudices. Even if someone has a slight doubt (which you can clearly see within the Republican party), they are less likely to voice this because they do not want to be the odd one out, even if they have reservations about things in private.
Meaning that people like Trump and Netanyahu can become so entrenched in their beliefs, that they are often less tolerant, and compassionate towards those who hold different cultural or religious ideals. They may start to see those who disagree not just as wrong, but as bad people. They become the good guys in their own minds and closed communities forging an “us” vs “them” mentality. Seeing themselves as the chosen heroes, and the righteous winners which can lead to hostility, contempt, and even violence towards those they believe are the losers, the villains, and uncivilised members of society leading to the dehumanisation of others and unfortunately supremacy.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/un-chief-warns-against-ethnic-cleansing-after-donald-trump-gaza-proposal (UN chief warns against ‘ethnic cleansing’ after Trump’s Gaza proposal)
Thank you to the World leaders who have spoken up about this, as this is not a plan that will move us towards peace, but rather an act of dominance that will further divide, cause discord, and hinder our growth collectively as a harmonious society. As the author and philosopher Paulo Freire said, “Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. ”