In the wake of the recent November election, it feels as if a great many issues in our world are suddenly falling into their proper place. The signs are all around us. Russia, having grown weary of its protracted conflict in Ukraine, appears ready to pursue peace. Qatar has issued an eviction notice to Hamas, signaling a major shift in regional geopolitics. Even China, which has been an increasingly aggressive player on the global stage, is now extending an olive branch by declaring its intention to seek “peaceful coexistence” with the United States. Our allies are also changing course, as the EU looks to buy American fossil fuels rather than Russian oil.

The domestic scene is no different. Markets are responding with enthusiasm — the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq have soared to record highs following Donald Trump’s victory. Bitcoin has surged to over $93,000, and even small consumer experiences are hinting at improvement as the price of consumer goods falls. More than that, a shift in social dynamics is underway, with some American women declaring a personal protest to Donald Trump’s incoming administration by turning to the “4B” movement, which promotes abstinence, among other things. Even liberal cities like Seattle have finally decided to do something about the epidemic of crime in their jurisdiction.

These aren’t isolated events; they’re all part of a broader, almost archetypal phenomenon — the return of legitimate leadership. Historically, moments like these have repeated themselves, when the mandate of a ruler, grounded in popular support, restores both domestic stability and international respect. A poignant historical analogy can be drawn from medieval England. After years of incompetent and oppressive rule under King John — who had usurped the throne from his brother — England suffered, reeling from his paranoia, greed, and ineptitude. The country seemed to hold its collective breath until the return of Richard III (better known as the “Lionheart”) from the Crusades. Richard’s return was not merely a change in leadership; it was the restoration of legitimate rule. As soon as news spread that Richard had returned, King John’s political power base began to collapse, and foreign belligerents started to step back, recognizing the restoration of order.

This motif of rightful leadership is a powerful one, not just in history but in our cultural myths as well. In the story of Robin Hood, which was directly influenced by King John’s reign and the Lionheart’s triumphant restoration, the return of King Richard marked the end of a period of lawlessness and misrule, bringing justice and prosperity back to Sherwood Forest. Similarly, in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” the return of Aragorn — the true king — ushers in a time of healing and renewal for the Kingdom of Gondor. The character of Faramir’s words, “Behold the King!” in the final installment of the trilogy represents more than just a transfer of power — they mark the dawn of a new political reality, one that brings peace, prosperity, and order where there was once only uncertainty and decay.

Historian and anthropologist Alan MacFarlane, in his work “The Origins of English Individualism,” argues that England was the first truly individualistic, self-reliant, and capitalist society. Unlike the rest of medieval Europe, which was largely feudal and collectivist, England’s social and economic structure was founded on the principle of individual liberty. To be English was to be free, and this freedom was not merely a political concept but a deeply ingrained social value. The English viewed themselves as inherently free people, with rights that could not be arbitrarily taken away by rulers. This notion of individual liberty, deeply rooted in the English identity, eventually crossed the Atlantic and evolved into the American identity — one defined by Anglo-Saxon ideals and realized by Scot-Irish belligerence.

In fact, the Declaration of Independence cites as one of the Colonies’ primary grievances against King George III and the British Parliament the denial of their rights as British subjects of the Crown under the law. The notion of “unalienable rights” which the Declaration of Independence describes as “self-evident” would have meant nothing to a people that did not already understand liberty, and had no concept of what it meant to be free. These ideals were deeply ingrained in British culture already, and they reached greater heights in the New World. The rights of mankind as our Founding Fathers understood them came first from God’s Holy Word and were codified through both the English Common Law tradition and documents such as the Magna Carta.

This historical context helps explain why moments like Trump’s return to power resonate so deeply. The American identity, much like the English identity before it, is steeped in the belief that legitimate leadership is derived from the consent of the governed. When that legitimacy is affirmed, as it was in this election, it brings with it a profound sense of stability and renewal. Donald Trump’s sweeping victory represents a clear and undeniable mandate from the American people. He won every swing state, claimed the popular vote, and his party will control both the House and the Senate come January. With this decisive win, Trump returns to power with the full weight of legitimacy, empowered to enact his agenda and steer the country toward stability and growth. In much the same way that medieval England found peace and prosperity under Richard III, the United States stands poised to experience a resurgence of its own.

What’s important to realize is that this resurgence is not purely because of the agenda that the legitimate ruler enacts. To be American, much like it was to be English in the medieval era, is to be free. For most of us, liberty and prosperity seem like the natural state of our country, and our economic decline paired with increasing bureaucratic overreach over the past few years feels like a conscious choice made by our decadent and corrupt leaders. Trump’s return to the White House, backed with the full legitimacy the American people can provide, represents not the effectiveness of a Trump agenda that has not yet been enacted, but that the American people are once again allowed to be free. Washington, D.C. has been sent a message that the American people are changing course. With this restoration of freedom, prosperity for our nation becomes a given. This sentiment was once, ironically, expressed by President Joe Biden when he remarked, “We are America, second to none, and we own the finish line.”

These developments in our economy, culture, and foreign policy are not coincidental; they are a response to the reassertion of legitimate authority in the United States. When a leader with true legitimacy — one that resonates with the people — takes charge, the impact is almost immediate. As previously noted, we’re already seeing economic indicators pointing towards recovery and foreign actors altering their stances to accommodate this new reality. The legitimacy conferred upon Trump by the American electorate has laid down the law, and now both allies and adversaries alike are realigning themselves in response.

In stark contrast to the improvements we are now witnessing, the previous four years under President Biden were marked by turmoil and decline. The economy struggled, with rising inflation and an unstable stock market that left many Americans worried about their financial future. The global stage saw America retreating, losing influence, and facing increased tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Domestically, crime surged, particularly in major cities, and public confidence in government institutions plummeted. Policies that failed to address key issues like border security, economic growth, and national security contributed to a pervasive sense of instability. Now, with Trump’s return, there is a palpable shift in optimism as the nation looks forward to a period of renewed prosperity and leadership.

The motif of the "king’s return" is deeply ingrained in our cultural consciousness, reflecting our yearning for order and legitimacy, especially following periods of decadent and oppressive rule that puts the well-being of the people behind the desires of those in power. Stories like “Robin Hood” and “The Lord of The Rings” resonate because they speak to a fundamental truth about human societies: that legitimate leadership brings stability, justice, and hope. In much the same way, Trump’s return represents a restoration of order — a return to policies that prioritize national interest, economic growth, and a strong, unified America.

In moments like these, history, myth, and the present converge, reminding us that true leadership, rooted in the will of the people, has the power to bring about rapid and transformative change. The signs are clear: the king has returned, and with him comes the promise of a better tomorrow.

Cooper Stephens serves as a development associate at Family Research Council.