In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and data, the human touch seems to be fading. We are witnessing a global phenomenon. It is a compensatory retreat into messianic and apocalyptic narratives. This phenomenon isn’t only confined to the Middle East, as previously explored. It is a universal psychological response to the perceived erosion of human significance. The rise of the strongman is a global political trend. Figures from Washington to Moscow are part of a deep-seated reaction to a profound crisis of meaning.
The machine, in its ever-increasing efficiency, is challenging our sense of purpose. When an AI can compose music, write code, and even make complex medical diagnoses, where does human value lie? For many, the answer is not found in logic. Instead, it lies in belief. This is a belief in a grand narrative that gives us a heroic role to play in an existential drama. It is here that the messiah and the strongman become one.
The American Case: Trump’s Redemptive Populism
In the United States, this dynamic has found its most potent expression in the political style of Donald Trump. His rhetoric is a masterclass in apocalyptic populism. He paints a picture of a nation on the brink of collapse—a “sinking ship” in a world of “American carnage.” The “people” are framed as the true patriots, betrayed by a “corrupt elite” in Washington and globalist forces.
Trump positions himself not just as a president, but as a messianic figure. His promise to “Make America Great Again” is not a simple policy slogan; it is a call to national redemption. It offers a narrative where the “forgotten man and woman” are not just victims. They are the heroes destined to reclaim their nation’s lost glory. The appeal is rooted in a fundamental psychological need for purpose. It provides a feeling that one is part of a grander, sacred mission. This mission aims to restore a fallen kingdom.
The machine here is not a hidden force. It is a public-facing one. It includes the “fake news” media, the social media giants, and the deep-state apparatus. These are cast as the villains of the story. They are seen as algorithmic forces working to rob the people of their voice. These villains also threaten their belief system. The Trump narrative targets these institutions. This validates the fears of those who feel powerless in an increasingly digital, impersonal world.
The Russian Case: Putin’s Imperial Revivalism
Across the Atlantic, Vladimir Putin embodies a similar response to national anxieties. He also addresses existential concerns through a different historical and cultural lens. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has grappled with a profound identity crisis. Putin’s rise to power and his enduring legitimacy are built on a narrative that directly addresses this vacuum of meaning.
He has masterfully cultivated an image of a sober statesman and a powerful, almost superhuman, leader. His rhetoric consistently frames Russia not just as a nation. He portrays it as a unique civilization with a “sacred” mission. Its mission is to restore its rightful place in the world. He positions himself as the only figure who can reverse the humiliations of the post-Soviet era. He also stands alone in defending Russia against a hostile, encircling West. This is not simply about geopolitics; it’s about a national redemption fantasy.
Like Trump, Putin’s appeal is rooted in a narrative of an ongoing existential battle. The “threats” are a mix of Western encroachment, liberal decadence, and internal “traitors.” He uses a political style that is not strictly populist in a democratic sense. It is demotic—it speaks to the “people” and their shared national suffering. It provides a grand, unifying purpose to a society that felt adrift after the end of its previous ideological system.
The Fragility of Belief
In both the U.S. and Russia, we see a crucial psychological pivot. The rational, liberal-democratic frameworks of the 20th century struggle to provide compelling answers to the dislocations of the 21st. As a result, societies are turning to symbolic, often irrational, sources of meaning. The “Messiah, Imam, and Machine” model holds true. When the machine threatens to make us obsolete, the collective mind retreats into narratives. In these narratives, only a divinely or historically ordained figure can save us from the impending apocalypse.
Trump and Putin, in their own ways, are not just tapping into this impulse; they are channeling it. They offer a sense of order and a redemptive purpose in a chaotic world. The ultimate weapon in this new geopolitical landscape is not a drone or a missile, but a compelling story. It is a story that provides hope. It promises to dismantle the very forces—be they digital or globalist—that threaten our most fragile possession: our belief in ourselves.
Taylor & Francis Online: “Populism as an act of storytelling: analyzing the climate change…” (Full article title is partially shown)
ResearchGate: “Nationalism and authoritarianism in Russia: Introduction to the special issue…”
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: “Blood and Iron: How Nationalist Imperialism became Russia’s State Ideology” (Full title is partially shown)
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