The Law of the Cowboy: A World Under Trump?

The world is entering an era of "cowboy law," according to a stark assessment that draws parallels to the American Wild West. This framing is applied to the anticipated global landscape following the potential second presidency of Donald Trump, with his inauguration set for January 20, 2025.

The author suggests that the period since Trump's first term (2017-2021) and the prospect of his return have ushered in "unprecedented situations." These circumstances are likened to a "long and boring Western film," evoking an image of a lawless frontier where might makes right.

This analogy implies a world governed not by established international norms or legal frameworks, but by unilateral actions and a disregard for traditional diplomacy. The "cowboy law" metaphor suggests a return to a more primitive, self-serving approach to global affairs, where power dynamics and assertive tactics dominate over cooperation and multilateralism.