If you’re scared about what the president can do, you should support limited government.
In just his first few days after taking office, Donald Trump signed numerous executive orders.. With each new order signed, and given my limited knowledge of American politics, I had one simple question: Can he really do that? Then a second, more concerning one occurred to me: Should one person EVER have the power to do that?
Beyond the scramble to understand the implications of these new policies and to demonize or praise Trump, there’s something much more important here. We need to reevaluate how much power we’re willing to give to politicians.
The debates about Trump during his presidencies have been endless. Is he a genius or a madman? A necessary disruptor or an existential threat? The media, in its typical fashion, has either condemned him outright or painted him as a misunderstood maverick, rarely offering a nuanced perspective.
My take? I’m just curious. I’m neither American nor do I live in the U.S., so I have the luxury of observing from a distance. And yes, I’m fully aware of how American politics affects the world, but I’m currently distanced enough to simply watch what’s going on with interest.
Because, frankly, Trump is not the point here. The real issue is the political structure itself. If the election of one individual — even to the position of president of the most powerful nation in the world — can cause widespread panic, chaos, and despair, isn’t there something fundamentally wrong with such a structure? Should one person hold so much power over the lives of millions?
The ideas presented here are generally known as Public Choice Theory. Learn more about it here:
Politics inevitably affects our daily lives, but its reach should be limited. A limited government is not some utopian fantasy reserved for anarchists, libertarians, or people who dislike authority. It’s a vital principle because our lives should not be so deeply intertwined with the whims of politicians, many of whom are motivated by power, self-interest, or fleeting popularity. When the government holds too much power, it raises the stakes of every election — and reaffirms why The Declaration of Independence says we have the right to overthrow the government. The trajectory of an entire country can shift dramatically, simply because the president changes.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”- Lord Acton
History has shown us that power does not merely corrupt; it attracts the corruptible. The more power a position holds, the more it becomes a magnet for the wrong kind of people — those who crave control, dominance, and personal gain rather than seeking to serve others or advance the public interest. This isn’t just an abstract idea; history and human behavior repeatedly have shown that positions of great authority tend to attract individuals with narcissistic, authoritarian, or manipulative tendencies.
Learn how Disney villains have consistently demonstrated this idea:
“When you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice, you may know that your society is doomed.” – Ayn Rand
What’s the takeaway? That the President of the United States has far more power and influence than any one person should wield. But this is not just about Trump or any other individual leader. It’s about the structure of power itself. Our skepticism of government overreach shouldn’t only emerge when we think the “wrong” person is in charge. It should be a constant concern.
If we find ourselves terrified of a single person occupying a single position, the real issue is not the person, but the fact that the position exists in the first place. Limited government and checks and balances exist for a reason. They are safeguards that ensure no one person or institution can wield unchecked authority. If we want a society free from the chaos of concentrated power, we must continually evaluate and defend these principles, no matter who sits in the Oval Office.
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This piece solely expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the organization as a whole. Students For Liberty is committed to facilitating a broad dialogue for liberty, representing a variety of opinions.
