I really appreciate your taking the risk to give this analysis. The risk is that it won't fit neatly into any one box (political, etc.). Yet the need is huge to view what is happening with realism (it is what it is), thoughtfulness (what then does it impact?), using a biblical worldview. You continue to thread that needle. Whether I agree or disagree, you have given me food for thought. For what it is worth, I believe your basic thesis of this being a move away from globalization has a lot of merit, and isn't just a MAGA or social justice type of topic. Rather, it is simply observing the current trends in many countries, not just the US. Thanks!
Good to see you have finally spelt my name correctly, Ted. I pray it sticks.
I think by focusing on imperialism and de-globalisation, you have essentially started a new conversation that is tangential to what my newsletter said. You have avoided the main question I am asking: what does MAGA ideology mean for world mission? In other words, knowing that MAGA Evangelicals are involved in mission (as they should be), what does a MAGA-shaped missiology look like? How does it relate with the rest of the Evangelical missions family around the world?
And btw, I think both de-globalisation and isolationism only work in theory. Empires do not give away power, at least not willingly. There is indeed a shift happening, and I believe the US is seeking new ways to assert itself at a time when BRICS and other realignments are happening. Something drastic will have to happen before the US allows other powers (Russia, China, etc.) to take away its influence in the world.
So, can we go back to my question, please? What does MAGA mean for world mission? Can you answer this in a newsletter (and not in this comment section) so that the Evangelical missions communities around the world can have their anxieties eased?
“This new American foreign policy is being decried because it is not imperial”—Trump is threatening to annex Canada, a sovereign nation, also to take Greenland, another sovereign territory. This is imperialist, not isolationist.
Canadians and Republicans have something in common - neither sees statehood in Canada's future. It would turn the power in favor of the Democrats (this is why the Republicans are proposing that Puerto Rico become independent).
Trump is doing what he does best - insulting others. There are several people that Trump has insulted that now work for him, and he praises them profusely (Rubio is the latest). It is tactic to bully others into compliance.
Trump said he was going to take over Panama as well, but with Blackrock signing contracts on control of the ports, no more talk about taking over Panama. Where else have the Chinese moved in? Greenland. I anticipate some sort of agreement will be reached about the Chinese involvement in Greenland and that will be the end of taking over Greenland, too.
Because he has the codes to the nuclear football, he cannot be ignored. This is the FUD that he creates. Canada and Greenland have no choice but to take this kind of bluster seriously, but he is not going to roll into Ottawa or Nuuk any time soon (full confession: I had to look up the capital of Greenland).
Maybe. Everybody on Wall Street thought his blather about tariffs was bluster, too. And even if it is just “trolling,” I can’t see how that conduct can be described as isolationist. Sure, he’s destroying US soft power and global credibility, so it’ll definitely be a more isolated nation in the future. But not really isolationist, as long as such trolling continues.
I also really don’t know what you mean by “Daily reports of corruption in the USAID system”—in general I have been disappointed how MAGA-aligned your blog has become.
None of those listed uses of federal money are in any way obviously “corrupt”—I’m grateful the federal government invests, or used to invest, in research that appears obscure to regular people. That’s most research. Without it, this country will become a backwater.
Interesting to me that you don’t deny being MAGA-aligned. I would suggest based on your posting that you try to diversify your information pipeline. I follow you because you are the president of a significant mission organization—and because of your reputation as an insightful analyst. But much of your recent analysis simply reflects rightwing talking points.
The article is not about MAGA. It is about what is driving global change. 15 months ago, I did a webinar on de-globalization. It was a summary of 5-6 different authors on this topic. I just took it out from behind the Missio Nexus paywall, and you can watch it here if you are interested: https://missionexus.org/webinar-the-end-of-globalization/
They projected the sort of isolationism we now are facing. Isolationists question what and why we give toward anything, let alone questionable gender programs in foreign countries who are not asking for our morality. Corruption? Technically, probably not, but it is funding a political agenda using tax payer money, which most people would take as corruption. "research that appears obscure to regular people" is a very kind reading for programs that were promoting what their titles suggest.
The fallout for good programs has been disastrous. Because of the extreme nature of some grants, 85% of grants are cut. It has green lighted the "burn the house down" approach that the administration is currently taking.
But... that is the side dish. The main course is deglobalization's effect on missiology.
I don't play the "You are MAGA." "No, I am not" game. The "non-denial" comment reminds me of the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife?" I assume that within the missions community we have people glad to see cuts to foreign aid. I know we have people who have been deeply hurt. Missio Nexus members have lost their jobs. Calling out MAGA or conversely, calling others leftwingers is not helpful.
I am 100% open to diversifying my information pipeline. Please post a few sites/sources/substacks for me and others to follow. The Lord knows we need some good, missiologically infused, authors right now.
Trump practices patrimonialism which is a blend of both isolationism and imperialism. He is not peace-first but power-first and dictator-first. The Americas are Trump's turf, Europe is Putin's, and Xi gets Asia (Trump has zero interest in Africa). I think this perspective would nuance both your and Kiwani's proposals, which each have something to offer but also miss an important point about coercive authority and corruption.
I had to look up this new-to-me "ism" on Wikipedia.
I don't think it fits - the definition there says nothing about Imperialism. While Trump does demand and reward loyalty, the definition says, "the ruler does not derive their legitimacy from their personal charisma or a sense of mission, but primarily through their ability to dole out rewards and punishments." Trump has a huge following, based largely on his personal charisma. The assassination attempt bolstered a sense of mission (fight! fight! fight!). On top of that, merit is all over the new vibe shift, replacing preferential treatment on the basis of extant features (the definition on Wikipedia says that merit is not considered by a patrimonial systems). As far as corruption goes, his DOGE dogs are making him out to be the anti-corruption president, something his opponents have publicly stated that they wish they had seen to when they had power.
But... I think you are spot on about Africa. He writes off Africa to his detriment. Statements about trashy (I think the term was "shithole") countries or saying he has never heard of Lesotho are proof of this. More evidence of isolationism and a scary future for US/Africa relations. The future missions leadership class will come from the African continent.
Patrimonialism blends elements of isolationism and imperialism by centralizing power within a ruling elite that prioritizes personal authority and loyalty, leading to self-serving foreign policies that simultaneously withdraw from multilateral engagements (isolationism) and assert dominance over specific regions to enhance the leader's control (imperialism).
“merit is all over the new vibe shift, replacing preferential treatment on the basis of extant features…As far as corruption goes, his DOGE dogs are making him out to be the anti-corruption president, something his opponents have publicly stated that they wish they had seen to when they had power.”—this is just MAGA propaganda; they are simply exerting preferential treatment for white men, including and especially otherwise unqualified white men. And DOGE is a a billionaire’s personal cadre to gut the federal government and to self-deal contracts to his own companies—no one except for MAGA conceives of what they are doing as remotely anti-corruption
My friend John Dawson believes that history is cyclical and the defining characteristics, defining principles move from 1. Tribal Leader 2. Hero Conquerer of Many Lands, 3. Religion 4. Ideology 5. Economy and that we are headed back globally to Tribal Leader.
I really appreciate your taking the risk to give this analysis. The risk is that it won't fit neatly into any one box (political, etc.). Yet the need is huge to view what is happening with realism (it is what it is), thoughtfulness (what then does it impact?), using a biblical worldview. You continue to thread that needle. Whether I agree or disagree, you have given me food for thought. For what it is worth, I believe your basic thesis of this being a move away from globalization has a lot of merit, and isn't just a MAGA or social justice type of topic. Rather, it is simply observing the current trends in many countries, not just the US. Thanks!
Good to see you have finally spelt my name correctly, Ted. I pray it sticks.
I think by focusing on imperialism and de-globalisation, you have essentially started a new conversation that is tangential to what my newsletter said. You have avoided the main question I am asking: what does MAGA ideology mean for world mission? In other words, knowing that MAGA Evangelicals are involved in mission (as they should be), what does a MAGA-shaped missiology look like? How does it relate with the rest of the Evangelical missions family around the world?
And btw, I think both de-globalisation and isolationism only work in theory. Empires do not give away power, at least not willingly. There is indeed a shift happening, and I believe the US is seeking new ways to assert itself at a time when BRICS and other realignments are happening. Something drastic will have to happen before the US allows other powers (Russia, China, etc.) to take away its influence in the world.
So, can we go back to my question, please? What does MAGA mean for world mission? Can you answer this in a newsletter (and not in this comment section) so that the Evangelical missions communities around the world can have their anxieties eased?
“This new American foreign policy is being decried because it is not imperial”—Trump is threatening to annex Canada, a sovereign nation, also to take Greenland, another sovereign territory. This is imperialist, not isolationist.
Trump is insulting and an expert troll.
Canadians and Republicans have something in common - neither sees statehood in Canada's future. It would turn the power in favor of the Democrats (this is why the Republicans are proposing that Puerto Rico become independent).
Trump is doing what he does best - insulting others. There are several people that Trump has insulted that now work for him, and he praises them profusely (Rubio is the latest). It is tactic to bully others into compliance.
Trump said he was going to take over Panama as well, but with Blackrock signing contracts on control of the ports, no more talk about taking over Panama. Where else have the Chinese moved in? Greenland. I anticipate some sort of agreement will be reached about the Chinese involvement in Greenland and that will be the end of taking over Greenland, too.
Because he has the codes to the nuclear football, he cannot be ignored. This is the FUD that he creates. Canada and Greenland have no choice but to take this kind of bluster seriously, but he is not going to roll into Ottawa or Nuuk any time soon (full confession: I had to look up the capital of Greenland).
Maybe. Everybody on Wall Street thought his blather about tariffs was bluster, too. And even if it is just “trolling,” I can’t see how that conduct can be described as isolationist. Sure, he’s destroying US soft power and global credibility, so it’ll definitely be a more isolated nation in the future. But not really isolationist, as long as such trolling continues.
I also really don’t know what you mean by “Daily reports of corruption in the USAID system”—in general I have been disappointed how MAGA-aligned your blog has become.
You can use the unsubscribe button if you want to, Collin. What I mean by daily reports are posts like this one on their website:
Other grant examples from @NIH:
- $100K for Vanderbilt University to study “social networks” among “sexual and gender minorities”
- $37K for the University of Houston to study “fear of deportation” in “Latinx young adults”
- $681K for the University of Pennsylvania to study “social media anti-vaping messages” among “sexual and gender minority teens”
- $225K for the University of Colorado to study the “effects of hormones on headaches in transmasculine adolescents”
This was from yesterday and there are more. This kind of thing gives fodder to the "shut it all down" crowd.
None of those listed uses of federal money are in any way obviously “corrupt”—I’m grateful the federal government invests, or used to invest, in research that appears obscure to regular people. That’s most research. Without it, this country will become a backwater.
Interesting to me that you don’t deny being MAGA-aligned. I would suggest based on your posting that you try to diversify your information pipeline. I follow you because you are the president of a significant mission organization—and because of your reputation as an insightful analyst. But much of your recent analysis simply reflects rightwing talking points.
The article is not about MAGA. It is about what is driving global change. 15 months ago, I did a webinar on de-globalization. It was a summary of 5-6 different authors on this topic. I just took it out from behind the Missio Nexus paywall, and you can watch it here if you are interested: https://missionexus.org/webinar-the-end-of-globalization/
They projected the sort of isolationism we now are facing. Isolationists question what and why we give toward anything, let alone questionable gender programs in foreign countries who are not asking for our morality. Corruption? Technically, probably not, but it is funding a political agenda using tax payer money, which most people would take as corruption. "research that appears obscure to regular people" is a very kind reading for programs that were promoting what their titles suggest.
The fallout for good programs has been disastrous. Because of the extreme nature of some grants, 85% of grants are cut. It has green lighted the "burn the house down" approach that the administration is currently taking.
But... that is the side dish. The main course is deglobalization's effect on missiology.
I don't play the "You are MAGA." "No, I am not" game. The "non-denial" comment reminds me of the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife?" I assume that within the missions community we have people glad to see cuts to foreign aid. I know we have people who have been deeply hurt. Missio Nexus members have lost their jobs. Calling out MAGA or conversely, calling others leftwingers is not helpful.
I am 100% open to diversifying my information pipeline. Please post a few sites/sources/substacks for me and others to follow. The Lord knows we need some good, missiologically infused, authors right now.
Trump practices patrimonialism which is a blend of both isolationism and imperialism. He is not peace-first but power-first and dictator-first. The Americas are Trump's turf, Europe is Putin's, and Xi gets Asia (Trump has zero interest in Africa). I think this perspective would nuance both your and Kiwani's proposals, which each have something to offer but also miss an important point about coercive authority and corruption.
But indeed, change is coming.
I had to look up this new-to-me "ism" on Wikipedia.
I don't think it fits - the definition there says nothing about Imperialism. While Trump does demand and reward loyalty, the definition says, "the ruler does not derive their legitimacy from their personal charisma or a sense of mission, but primarily through their ability to dole out rewards and punishments." Trump has a huge following, based largely on his personal charisma. The assassination attempt bolstered a sense of mission (fight! fight! fight!). On top of that, merit is all over the new vibe shift, replacing preferential treatment on the basis of extant features (the definition on Wikipedia says that merit is not considered by a patrimonial systems). As far as corruption goes, his DOGE dogs are making him out to be the anti-corruption president, something his opponents have publicly stated that they wish they had seen to when they had power.
But... I think you are spot on about Africa. He writes off Africa to his detriment. Statements about trashy (I think the term was "shithole") countries or saying he has never heard of Lesotho are proof of this. More evidence of isolationism and a scary future for US/Africa relations. The future missions leadership class will come from the African continent.
Patrimonialism blends elements of isolationism and imperialism by centralizing power within a ruling elite that prioritizes personal authority and loyalty, leading to self-serving foreign policies that simultaneously withdraw from multilateral engagements (isolationism) and assert dominance over specific regions to enhance the leader's control (imperialism).
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/corruption-trump-administration/681794/
(or here if a paywall https://archive.is/Lix9J )
Ironically, DOGE is evidence of the corruption inherit to his patrimonialism.
“merit is all over the new vibe shift, replacing preferential treatment on the basis of extant features…As far as corruption goes, his DOGE dogs are making him out to be the anti-corruption president, something his opponents have publicly stated that they wish they had seen to when they had power.”—this is just MAGA propaganda; they are simply exerting preferential treatment for white men, including and especially otherwise unqualified white men. And DOGE is a a billionaire’s personal cadre to gut the federal government and to self-deal contracts to his own companies—no one except for MAGA conceives of what they are doing as remotely anti-corruption
Please note that you are quoting Dr. Harvey KWIYANI, not "Kiyani" as appear in your article. https://substack.com/@harveykwiyani
Thanks!! Fixed
My friend John Dawson believes that history is cyclical and the defining characteristics, defining principles move from 1. Tribal Leader 2. Hero Conquerer of Many Lands, 3. Religion 4. Ideology 5. Economy and that we are headed back globally to Tribal Leader.
This is excellent. Many good observations made in this article.