Punishment for the Poor, Pardons for the Powerful
The United States is locked in a struggle over what rules mean and who they apply to.
On one side are those who believe in universal rules: the law is the law, and it applies equally to everyone. No exceptions. If you break the law, you face the same consequences, no matter your wealth, power, or connections.
On the other side are those who view rules as conditional. They believe outcomes depend on who you are, how wealthy you are, and who you know.
For some, rules are ironclad. For others, they are flexible or even irrelevant.
The cultural theorist Fons Trompenaars calls this divide Universalism vs. Particularism. It’s not just academic theory. It explains one of America’s most dangerous cultural fractures today.
A Culture Split in Two
Historically, the United States leaned toward Universalism. The country was built on ideals like “no one is above the law.” Universalist cultures strive for consistency: rules apply the same way to all people.
Of course, this was never fully realized in practice in the US. Racial inequality, wealth gaps, and corruption have long undermined equal treatment under the law. But the principle of universal application gave Americans something to hold onto, a shared ideal of fairness.
That consensus has collapsed. Trump’s Republican movement has pushed the US toward Particularism, where rules apply to some but not others.
How Particularism Works
In particularist cultures, punishment is harsh for the poor and powerless, while the wealthy and connected enjoy leniency. Minority communities face stricter enforcement and heavier penalties. The ruling class operates with impunity, often shielded from consequences.
This is no longer just cultural drift. Under Trump, it has become institutionalized. The law has been changed to place the president above the law. Friends and allies receive pardons or have charges dropped, even when guilt is obvious. Opponents are targeted, harassed, and punished.
The result is a system where rules no longer serve as the foundation of justice but as weapons wielded selectively.
A New American Value?
This is a profound cultural shift. For centuries, Americans at least aspired to the universal rule of law, even if it fell well short of the ideal. Today, half the country wants to preserve that American tradition, while the other half is willing to abandon it for Trump’s particularism.
This is why the divide feels so intractable. It is not just about politics or personalities; it is about which cultural value America will choose as its foundation going forward.
Will the U.S. remain a nation of laws, where rules apply equally to all? Or will it cement a system where justice depends on wealth, status, and loyalty?
That is the real question.
Why It Matters
For the average American, this cultural shift has direct consequences.
Healthcare: Universalist logic says, “The system should protect everyone equally.” But under particularism, wealthy patients get access; poor patients are denied. That’s why millions remain uninsured or underinsured, one hospital visit away from bankruptcy.
Criminal justice: Universalist logic says, “Break the law, face the same penalty.” Particularism means prison for shoplifters while billionaires avoid prosecution for tax fraud. That’s why prisons are filled with the poor, while corporate executives rarely see the inside of a cell.
Economic security: Universalist logic says, “Everyone should have a fair shot.” Particularism says, “If you’re poor, it’s your fault.” That’s why the US has weaker safety nets than most developed countries, leaving families one layoff away from losing their homes.
This isn’t just about Trump. It’s about whether America will abandon the idea that rules apply equally to all. If particularism becomes the new cultural norm, the very idea of fairness, the foundation of democracy, disappears.
The choice Americans face is stark: return to a universalist culture of shared rules, or accept a particularist system where justice depends on money, status, and loyalty.