… The specifics of the “Schedule F” plot also track with how I’ve come to understand Trumpism: as a specific form of reactionary populism.
Reactionary populism has – in one form or another – been around for quite some time. If I remember correctly, we can find a reactionary-populist faction of the Republican Party at least as far back as the 1930s, and the Democrats used to be home to one as well. Reactionary populism started, as best I can tell, gaining real traction in the GOP during the Obama years. It did not, however dominate the party.
This changed with Trump. He not only mobilized reactionary populists. He also mainstreamed the reactionary-populist worldview.
What does this have to do with Schedule F?
Once in power, reactionary populists pretty much always pursue neopatrimonial styles of governance. This involves breaking down “state autonomy” and transforming government bureaucracies into an extension of their own personal authority. CONTINUED
Daniel H. Nexon (Georgetown), Duck of Minerva
The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack