We're back! Making sense of Trump's re-election

In today’s world, the echoes of the High Middle Ages are undeniable. The castles and knights of old may be gone, but in their place stand towering skyscrapers and ubiquitous screens. Power is concentrated in the hands of a small, ultra-wealthy elite: business magnates, tech giants, and financial lords, along with (corrupt) politicians who protect their interests. These modern nobles don’t just control the economy—they control information, molding society and securing their hold at the top. And people think this is good, this is as it ought to be, that's the weirdest thing about it!

But western society, once promised democratic choice and social mobility, is bound by a new kind of economic serfdom - back to 1224...

For ordinary people, life has become a cycle of dependence. Debt, rising costs, and stagnant wages keep most bound to their jobs, working endlessly just to get by. Healthcare, housing, and education—once rights in many Western nations—are now costly privileges. The American Dream, along with similar ideals in Europe, remains just out of reach, a tempting illusion. The system is designed to keep people in place, and while many sense this imbalance, they feel trapped and unable to change it.

Populist leaders have seized upon this disillusionment, casting themselves as champions of the average citizen against the distant elite. Figures like Donald Trump in the United States and far-right (well, let's just call them what they are: neo-fascist) leaders across Europe tap directly into the anger and fears of those who feel ignored. They present themselves as rebels, offering to take on the elite and restore power to “the people.” Trump’s rhetoric, for example, resonates because he portrays himself as an outsider fighting for those abandoned by a system that benefits only the powerful. Across Europe, leaders like Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Marine Le Pen in France, and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands use similar tactics, positioning themselves as defenders of tradition and stability against a world spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, the progressive and intellectual factions—who might once have countered this populist tide—have been largely sidelined and silenced. Without an answer. They’ve lost their platforms and influence, blacked out by the very populists who now dominate public discourse. These leaders have made progressive voices appear elitist, disconnected from the struggles of the average person, and even untrustworthy. With no answer to the populist narrative, progressives have lost both appeal and credibility. This blackout has made it nearly impossible for intellectual or progressive perspectives to reach the public, leading many to dismiss them as irrelevant, out of touch, or part of the establishment.

The appeal of populists lies in their promise to restore stability and a sense of order. They pledge to bring back jobs, uphold cultural norms, and preserve a version of society that feels lost - but in reality never existed. In this climate, their victories feel inevitable. Faced with a weakened progressive wing and intellectual voices that have been muted, people turn to strong, charismatic figures who promise action—even if that action ultimately strengthens the very system that keeps ordinary people dependent.

In the end, Trump’s victory, along with the rise of far-right leaders worldwide, reflects a society that has come full circle. Like serfs in the Middle Ages who found security in their lords, today’s voters seek protection in a world that feels chaotic and out of reach. By choosing these leaders, people often reinforce the very structures that keep them bound, but the allure of stability is powerful. With the progressive side silenced and without answers, the populists’ victories seem not only logical but inevitable, as they promise a way forward in an era of gilded, digital feudalism.

I am certain humanity has the power to recover. Just please let this not take another 800 years.