Donald Trump may well become the official Republican candidate in the forthcoming presidential election and it is even possible that he could become the next president of the United States. To those who believe in democracy and international cooperation this possibility seems shocking and incredible. Trump with the power to annihilate the world by pressing the nuclear button is a horrifying prospect.

Trump's rhetoric may be regarded as "sound and fury." The realities of power and the advisers and staff he will have to appoint cannot, we hope, share his extremist views. But he will surely have to try to fulfill some at least of his policies, which can only be described as populist chauvinism and which seem to reflect the mood of his supporters among blue-collar whites in America.

How can he possibly carry out his more extremist promises? Put up a high wall along the U.S. frontier with Mexico and get Mexico to pay for this. The cost would be stupendous and the Mexicans will refuse to pay. What does he do then? Cut all U.S. trade with Mexico? Threaten military measures?