Visiting professor Jaime releases book on Trump: "Hope to contribute to discussions"

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

-Yes! I grew up in the United States, love to learn new things, and try to pursue issues that I find deep and meaningful, such as: How can we change the world for the better with the organizational constraints that we find ourselves under? How can we cultivate more humanistic and sustainable collective practices and values in organizations and societies driven by individualistic and capitalist values?

 Can you tell us about your position at Mid Sweden University?

- I am happy to be here as a visiting professor at the Risk and Crisis Centre and at the Department of Sociology this year. I have started a new project on how rural areas in Jämtland County react to climate change among those whose livelihoods are linked to the environment, such as farmers, herders and other agricultural industries, as well as activists and municipal leaders.

 Can you tell us about your book?

- Donald J. Trump took office by raging against the "deep state" and calling for the dismantling of the state as we know it. During a time of mass protests against an outspokenly illiberal president, I wondered: How do officials react to a president who seemingly ignores their mission, democratic safeguards and values, and their work? In what way - if at all - did they resist appointed leaders who defied the norms of liberal democratic governance?

Can you briefly tell us about something in the book that stands out or is particularly interesting?

- Although many Americans believe that their state is exceptional and resilient, my research has shown me how fragile democracy actually is and how any democracy can easily slide into autocracy or authoritarianism under selfish leaders with enough popular support.

Through this research, I have also developed a deep respect for U.S. federal officials. Despite popular and right-wing attacks on their incompetence, I found that they were deeply guided by democratic values, remarkable professional expertise and experience, and a desire to be responsive to elected and appointed leaders. This, of course, was next to impossible in some of the most politicized places in government under President Trump's leadership.

I hope that the book can contribute to discussions in the United States and around the world about how to protect and renew democracies against illiberal threats and democratic backsliding.

 What made you write it?

- Like many centrist and progressive Americans, I was surprised when Trump won the presidential election. I read a lot of news and wondered if American democracy would be able to withstand his presidency, and if so, how. I also wondered how government officials, who are a remarkably risk-averse group who tend to prefer to deal with problems at work privately and behind closed doors, would react. I wanted to get beyond the media drive and, as a sociologist, find out the deeper history and document what turned out to be a defining moment in American history.

What do you hope the book can contribute?

 - I hope that the book can contribute to discussions in the United States and around the world about how to protect and renew democracies against illiberal threats and democratic backsliding. Importantly, the book provides evidence that contradicts claims by some Trump administrators and supporters that federal bureaucrats are untrustworthy and advance their own progressive agendas, regardless of the public interest. These claims are made in an attempt to increase executive power, weaken democratic control and dismantle the administrative state. Such a development would be a death bell for democracy. This project has also already begun to inspire conversations about whether and when it is appropriate for federal officials to oppose elected leaders in democracies around the world.

More information

The book will be officially released in May 2025, but can be pre-ordered, and you can read more about the book here.

On Monday 4/11, Jaime will participate in a theme day at Mid Sweden University that focuses on the US presidential election. Jaime will lecture about the book and the American election. The theme day is organized by the Social Sciences Program and the Criminology Program. Click here to read more about the theme day.