Kathmandu— The Republican Party's current state of chaos, marked by internal divisions and erratic political behavior, cannot be attributed solely to former President Donald Trump. According to Paul Heideman's book 'Rogue Elephant,' the disarray is rooted in the weakening organizational strength of American capital and a historically weak party system that fails to control its own candidates.

Business Disorganization Fuels GOP Chaos

Heideman argues that while business leaders have long been able to discipline right-wing demagogues, their ability to do so has diminished. In the case of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s, American CEOs organized against him effectively. However, after January 6, 2021, when a significant portion of American capital attempted to boycott the Republican Party, this effort quickly faltered. Companies soon resumed normal relations with Republicans under President Joe Biden's administration.

GOP Strength Amid Chaos

Despite internal divisions and chaos, the GOP remains politically powerful. Heideman notes that while these divisions have cost the party control of the Senate during parts of the Obama administration, they also contributed to Trump’s success in 2016 and 2024 by presenting him as a successful businessman. Once Trump is no longer on the scene, however, the chaos may become more destructive for the GOP's electoral prospects.

Weak Party System Enables Insurgency

The primary system in the United States allows insurgents to challenge party leadership effectively. Unlike parties in countries like the UK, where the Labour Party can control who runs on its ballot line, American political parties are vulnerable to insurgencies due to their inability to directly control candidate selection. This porousness has allowed figures like Trump and Bernie Sanders to gain traction within their respective parties.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.