Crisis of Postmodernism and the Challenge of National Texturization

05.10.2025

By Valikhan Tuleshov

Today, I want to briefly reflect on the unfolding crisis of postmodernism through the lens of “national texturization” — the process through which countries shape and maintain cohesive civilizational identities.

1. The Need for an Ethnocultural Core

True texturization, as a long-term civilizational process, is difficult to sustain without a strong “ethnocultural core.” Countries like Kazakhstan or Japan possess such a core, providing symbolic gravity and cultural continuity. In contrast, the United States lacks a unifying cultural nucleus, making its national identity far more dependent on economic and political frameworks. This leads to instability and fragmentation in its cultural fabric.

2. Trumpism as a Civilizational Reboot

Donald Trump’s political movement should not be viewed merely as an electoral phenomenon. It represents an ideological attempt to reboot American identity, centered on the white Christian ethnocultural narrative that historically underpinned the United States. In Trump’s worldview, this core has been diluted by globalism, multiculturalism, and a liberal ideology that has arguably outlived its coherence.

We are witnessing deep **civilizational frictions** within the U.S.: between “white America,” African-American identity, Latin American cultural influence, and the rising presence of Asian-American perspectives. These overlapping yet competing loyalties have weakened the integrative power once held by the idea of the “American Dream,” which no longer resonates as a unifying myth across all communities.

3. Fragmentation Over Integration

Cultural fragmentation is replacing national integration. In some cases, this results in explicit calls for autonomy, such as the recurring discussions of “Californian secession.” In this fractured landscape, the fierce opposition to Trump from Democrats is not just political—it is cultural and civilizational.

Historically, the U.S. was a leading model of civilizational texturing, especially during the 20th century. But that model is now **overloaded** and under pressure from within. The country lacks a stable cultural center amid growing identity conflicts.

4. A Return to the “Golden Age”

Trump’s nostalgic vision of the “1950s–70s America” — a period dominated by Anglo-Protestant values, capitalist certainty, and cultural homogeneity—is central to his political messaging. His immigration policies, harsh as they may be, are part of a broader “rejection of multiculturalism” and an effort to reinstate a cultural hierarchy where traditional “white America” holds primacy.

This can be interpreted as a “civilizational counterattack” against Latin American expansion, African-American cultural assertion, Muslim and Asian influence, and progressive ideologies such as feminism, postcolonialism, and LGBTQ+ rights. His stance is not just nationalistic—it is tectonic, reshaping the ideological boundaries of American identity.

5. Language, Borders, and Civilizational Boundaries

Trump’s emphasis on English as the official language, strict immigration controls, and the militarization of borders (especially with Mexico) are symbolic efforts to reassert both cultural and territorial boundaries. This aligns with our theory of “Tectonopoly” — a transformational period in which civilizations redefine their internal and external limits to shape the “Genosphere”, or the global sphere of meanings and identities.

6. The United States: Still a Laboratory, But Not a Model

The U.S. remains a powerful “laboratory of texturing”, but it is no longer a universal template. Its internal contradictions have reached a point where it cannot offer a globally sustainable model for civilizational development.

By contrast, Kazakhstan, when seen through the lens of our metaphysical and conceptual framework, has the potential to offer a more balanced approach. We propose a model where an ethnocultural center coexists with multiethnic pluralism, supported by a shared language, coherent symbols, and a forward-looking civilizational vision.

Disclaimer: The article represents a personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the Center’s official position.