'Trump taps into a desire for national flourishing and pride' - Your Letters: April 19

​The mantra "America First," popularised by Donald Trump, is one that our leaders should embrace. This perspective emphasises that the world is not a single entity moving toward a unified government and legal system. Instead, it consists of many nation-states, each with its own unique cultural and historical identity.

The idea that we can all adhere to a universal truth through reason is a mirage; it does not exist. As individuals compete in various fields and endeavours from birth, so do nation-states. This competition is healthy, driving competitive advantages and fostering improvements.

Telling schoolchildren that they should feel shame for their nation's past seems to be a phenomenon unique to Western democracies. It is a grave and pernicious error that presumes only negative aspects while disavowing any benefits for the world that originated here in Britain, which is rich in history and accomplishment. Donald Trump taps into a desire for national flourishing and pride, which fosters a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.

Democracy cannot flourish and thrive outside of a nation-state. Anything international is always too ambitious. As Disraeli put it, the primary concern should be the condition of the people – referring to those within the nation-state. While our collective values compel us to respond to needs anywhere in the world, the people who pay taxes and vote in our country must come first. The same is true for other nations around the globe.

A formal rules-based international order is illegitimate as it can never fully consider the rights and duties of all citizens across all countries. It must lead to autocracy and repression while professing the opposite.

Martin Bristow, West Midlands

KINDNESS OF OTHERS WELCOME

My wife and I are both in our mid 80s and manage to shop fortnightly at our nearby supermarket. On arriving this week I noticed some 60L bags of compost outside. I was struggling to lift a bag off the top when a young man passing said “let me give you a hand” and placed it on the bottom of our trolley. I thanked him and we entered the store.

Spoiler alert, don’t get behind us at the tills, we have difficulty in fitting all our shopping on the conveyor belt!

Nearing the end of our shop, I was struggling to reach a pack of canned drinks off the top shelf and I heard in a foreign accent “let me help you” and turned and thanked the lady. After leaving the store I was again struggling to lift the compost into the back of our car when a lady crossed the carpark and lifted it into the car boot for me, for which I of course expressed my grateful thanks.

Driving back home I commented to my wife, “Isn’t it gratifying that in our modern society that there are still people from all backgrounds prepared to help the elderly.”

P H Wright, West Midlands

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