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His national and international policies – ranging from the effort to overturn the election in the past to current moves and statements – erode not only national and global law. But that’s not all.

These actions threaten the very concept of what we mean by.

The guiding principle of any advanced culture is to prevent the stronger from attacking and exploiting the weaker. Without this, we risk being locked in a conflict of all against all where might makes right wins.

This ideal is central of the nation's founding texts. This is also the foundation of the global system established after WWII advocated by the America, which stresses collective action, democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

However, it is a vulnerable ideal, easily violated by those who would exploit their power. Maintaining it demands that the influential have the moral fortitude to avoid seeking short-term wins, and that the public ensure they answer for their actions should they falter.

Absolute power is not right. It leads to turmoil, chaos, and conflict.

Every time people or corporations or countries that are wealthier and stronger attack and exploit those that are less so, the structure of civilization frays. Should such behavior are allowed to continue, the structure collapses. Without intervention, the world can plunge into instability and violence. It has happened before.

We now inhabit a society and world with deepening divides. Political and economic power are increasingly centralized than in recent memory. This encourages the elite to leverage their position against the disadvantaged because they perceive themselves as untouchable.

The resources of certain ultra-wealthy individuals is staggering. The reach of big tech, big oil, and large defense contractors extends over a vast portion of the world. AI is likely to further concentrate wealth and power further. The destructive power of the world's largest nations is without parallel in recorded history.

Enabled by complicit legislators and an accommodating judicial body, the presidency has been turned into the most powerful and unaccountable entity of state power in history.

Put it all together and you perceive the threat.

A direct line links earlier lawless actions to present-day menaces. Both were premised on the arrogance of omnipotence.

There is parallel dynamics in international affairs: in territorial invasions, in strategic threats, and in the worldwide exploitation by industrial titans.

But, unfettered might does not make right. It makes for instability, upheaval, and war.

The lessons of the past reveal that frameworks designed to constrain the powerful also safeguard them. Absent these limits, their insatiable demands for greater influence and riches in time bring them down – taking down their enterprises, countries, or domains. And pave the way for international catastrophe.

This blatant disregard for rules will cast a long shadow over America and the global community – and the very idea of civilized conduct – for years to come.