… Democrats worry that Trump’s focus on economic protectionism and opposition to trade deals could turn Democrat-leaning rust belt states into swing states, giving the Republican nominee an unexpected path to the White House in 2016. We can learn a little from students of Western European politics here. CONT. Charlotte […] Read more »
Le Pen, Berlusconi and the Triggers for Trumpism
… Mr. Trump blurs the left/right ideological divide, combining extreme views on issues like immigration with more moderate positions on others like Social Security and Medicare. He’s pulled this off by bypassing the American party system (with few exceptions, the G.O.P. establishment has not supported Mr. Trump) and substituting a […] Read more »
Americans See China as Top Economy Now, but U.S. in Future
Despite the slowdown in China’s economy that is creating global economic turmoil, more Americans continue to believe China is the world’s leading economic power rather than the U.S. However, the current 13-percentage-point margin in China’s favor — 50% vs. 37% — is slightly smaller than it has been in the […] Read more »
Opposing Political Views Emerge in Face of Real, Imagined Threats
At home and abroad, politics is increasingly revolving around one fundamental question: are nations more likely to achieve prosperity and security by building bridges to the outside world—or by erecting walls against it? The dilemma is playing out in the U.S. with the rise of Donald Trump. In Europe, it’s […] Read more »
The Polls May Be Underestimating Trump’s Support
Donald Trump’s persistent lead in the GOP presidential-preference polls has been a great source of confusion for the chattering classes. But Trump is actually just the latest manifestation of a more global trend: Data suggests the appeal of anti-immigrant policies to working-class voters is much deeper than most American elites […] Read more »
This Isn’t The First Time Americans Have Shown Fear Of Refugees
… Polls throughout the week showed clear majorities of Americans supporting at least “a pause” in the resettlement of refugees from the region being roiled by the self-proclaimed Islamic State. For all that America prides itself on being “a nation of immigrants” symbolized by the Statue of Liberty with her […] Read more »