In a globalised era, even countries as big as the US, France and Germany can feel small. And this is why politicians like Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen and Austrian presidential hopeful Norbert Hofer are so in fashion.  In a number of European countries, patriotic movements are surging forward vigorously. Nationalism is back like it never went out of fashion.

But how can anyone explain Trump’s irrational behaviour during his campaigning?  Don’t his supporters understand he is promising the impossible?

Trump’s campaign has been fuelled by the tropes of nationalism. There is the grievance that America’s rightful place in the world has been jeopardised and confidence in the present leadership eroded. Trump uses rhetoric like: “We will be unified, we will be one and as solid as a rock, we will be the best in the world...”

In Malta too, back in 2013, during Joseph Muscat’s campaigning, we were promised heaven on earth. We were promised everything to everybody, we were promised credibility, transparency, less bureaucracy, good governance, zero tolerance to corruption. We were promised that Malta will be the best in Europe.

Back to Trump. His campaign has made realise more than ever the US’s growing inequality and harbours serious doubts about globalisation.

But, make no mistake, as soon as Barack Obama gives Trump the key to the Whitehouse, he will immediately realise what a huge difference exists between rhetorical electoral campaigning and being in command. We all know by now that no country can prosper if it fails to put its own interests first, as Trump is saying. This is true.  But building bridges is more in the national interest than building walls, as Trump is determined to do.