Too much trippin’

By Bernard Rowan

• Published Apr 28, 2025 1:50 PM KST

This column is dedicated to several high-profile examples of imprudent political behavior. Prudence is a virtue praised by many philosophers and practitioners of politics. For Machiavelli, being prudent involves applying reason to particular situations, the ways of the lion and the fox accordingly, to establish and maintain government. The able leader knows how to tailor his actions to circumstances and preserve power, which consists of capability and credibility.

Now, some leaders today may exhibit foolish actions lacking credibility or the capability to achieve success. There are many global vernaculars. I believe "mu gaenyeom," or “lacking concept,” is the Korean term. The one from my adopted hometown of Chicago includes behavior that is trifling, sometimes referred to as “triflin’ behavior” — a foolish waste of time and the kind of behavior that may be cheating, unserious and destined to fail. I also like “trippin’,” which may be that someone is acting out, displaying foolishness, going too far with one’s words or actions and begging to fail.

Is it just me, or is there way too much imprudence going on now — too much trippin? There are several global actions that either blatantly or just below the surface reveal a lack of knowledge or prudence — moves that unlikely to succeed or have already backfired, to the detriment of the leaders’ reputations and the public interest of nations.

Certainly, the declaration of martial law by former President Yoon lacked prudence. Whatever Yoon’s fears about the opposition or North Korea, several key ministers provided flattery to the idea over objective insight (another test for Machiavelli is whether an advisor will speak truth to power and guide better thinking for a leader; a good advisor isn’t a flatterer). The declaration — even though it lasted only hours —led to Yoon’s impeachment, and created much confusion, dissension and conflict in the Korean public.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting a war with Hamas in Gaza that is estimated to have cost roughly $269 million daily, according to The Times of Israel. His stated aim to defeat Hamas hasn’t happened. It has been further verified that his government facilitated the rise of Hamas through various payments. Netanyahu’s long game is to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. However, for all the lives and fortune, his government arguably hasn’t weakened Hamas in any permanent way or made Israeli citizens safer.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. He lacks the military might to overtake the entire country and will end up settling for parts of Ukraine in the east, the Donbas, as well as Crimea. Nothing about this forestalls a “path for invasion,” which is the historic concern of Russia and the former Soviet Union. According to defensenews.com and Rand Corp., he’s weakened his economy and cost over 300,000 Russian lives. Without the propaganda, the real numbers may be double or more. The cost of the war has been $211 billion, with GDP losses nearly equaling that amount and financial capital destruction over $300 billion. All of Europe and many other global countries, though not so much the United States, are on alert. Putin is not a new emperor but rather a pretender to global power, waging what amounts to a modern-day Vietnam War.

Further, the nations of China, North Korea and Iran have needlessly interfered in a conflict beyond their boundaries. While clamoring for respect, sovereign borders and integrity, they contribute to the world’s understanding of the Axis of Autocracy. Rather than keep this alliance somewhat “under the radar,” their actions have only galvanized the warming war that is geopolitics in the second quarter of the 21st century. Machiavelli didn’t speak so directly to alliances, but reliance on mercenary forces or auxiliaries was given a thumbs down. So too, mixing declining powers or staid ones in an alliance produces long-run costs. China should beware.

U.S. President Donald Trump might add a few nicknames from the t-words I’ve used earlier. Certainly, his tariff war has been disorienting to global markets. It has reduced the credibility of the U.S. in many corners of the world. The jury is still out on those two-by-two trade deals. Trump is attempting to stall for time, claim victories and keep moving. Basically, the trade and tariff war is over, and Trump has lost. The Tax Foundation estimates the cost is $1,300 per American household. Wharton’s Budget Model indicates the cost is six percent of GDP and five percent of wages over the long run, and a lifetime income loss of $22,000 per American. If Trump’s gambit is to drain the swamp and stay in power, he hasn’t helped himself. Americans’ pocketbook calculus isn’t leaning toward Trump these days. Machiavelli says the public is fickle and judges results for themselves.

There are many other instances of trippin’ behavior going on these days, but in all seriousness, it’s important for global publics to continue to monitor the drift of democratic nations, and those fancying themselves as better, from their own values and ideals. And we the people are the only ones, in all our nations, to make it better.

Bernard Rowan is associate provost for contract administration and academic services at Chicago State University and a full professor of political science. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and a past visiting professor at the Graduate School of Public Administration, Hanyang University.