Countdown 8 Days Until Election       

TRUMP-AND POPULISM

Populism as defined by Wikipedia refers to a range of political stances that emphasize the idea of “the people” and often juxtapose this group against “the elite”. The term developed in the 19th century and has been applied to various politicians, parties, and movements since that time, although it has rarely been chosen as a self-description

Populists differ in how “the people” are defined, but it can be based along class, ethnic, or national lines. Populists typically present “the elite” as comprising the political, economic, cultural, and media establishment, depicted as a homogeneous entity and accused of placing their own interests, and often the interests of other groups—such as large corporations, foreign countries, or immigrants—above the interests of “the people”. Populist parties and social movements are often led by charismatic or dominant figures who present themselves as the “voice of the people”. According to the ideational approach, populism is often combined with other ideologies, such as nationalism, liberalism, or socialism. Thus, populists can be found at different locations along the left–right political spectrum, and there exist both left-wing populism and right-wing populism.

Political scientist Ernesto Laclau presents populism as an emancipatory social force through which marginalized groups challenge dominant power structures. Some  economists have used the term in reference to governments which engage in substantial public spending financed by foreign loans, resulting in hyperinflation and emergency measures. In popular discourse—where the term has often been used pejoratively—it has sometimes been used synonymously with demagogy, to describe politicians who present overly simplistic answers to complex questions in a highly emotional manner, or with opportunism, to characterize politicians who seek to please voters without rational consideration as to the best course of action.

Trump’s fake Populism is the Trump trick he used against working-class voters.  This is the theme of an essay in the NYTimes by Farah Stockman.  Her conclusion was that the problems he railed about are real.  The Trump presidency has been a 5 alarm fire with each day a new flare up while still wrapping your head around the last chaotic event.  There is never enough time to examine how and who started the blaze.

 Even when/if he is voted out there will still be the desires for some of his actions.  About 40% of Americans still want the border wall, and tariffs.  More than half still want to deport the undocumented immigrants. The Mid-West is still angary about NAFDA the Clinton administration passed.  The opening up of China that has taken mill workers and other manufacturing jobs is also a sore spot.  Globalization made the moves inevitable.  Corporations will always seek an edge in lowering costs of production and sees the moves as survival. 

Trump promised to bring back the factories. He said he was there for the common man and woman. Globalization has pushed manufacturing offshore and these industries are not coming back. The globalization had the benefit of bolstering the economy that inured to the upper class to the detriment of the marginal and poor.  The riches of globalization have flowed disproportionately to the few with capital and education, while the downside side is piled on the most venerable.

There is no doubt that Trump is president due to the support of voters self-identified as the working class voted 55% Trump in the 2016 primary and fewer than 30% backed other republican candidates.  This block was once solid democrat.  This is a result of the millions of jobs going to China over the years. 

Many of the same counties that have suffered from plant closures have had an influx of immigrants flocking to available low cost housing due to foreclosures competing for low pay unskilled jobs that remained.  Their arrival has sparked more resentment. 

Joe Biden is unapologetic about his support for free trade and globalization.  He has recognized the harm has done to the spread between rich and poor and has proposed a 10% tax credit for companies that bolster employment within the United states and  a 10% tax on those companies that sent employment offshore.

Many blue collar workers will still vote for Trump again.  They revere Trump for tearing up NAFTA (even though the replacement looks like the old one with updates to make actions current).  The other rational this sector cites is the tariffs Trump has levied even though the tariffs have created the deepest contraction in the manufacturing sector in a decade.  Looking deeper, however, he is known to be against unions, his tax cuts favored corporations and shareholders. 

Health care in the middle of a pandemic of paramount importance to the working class.  The  Trump administration is aiming to take away the Affordable Care Act which millions of Americans depend on, so it is clear whose side he is on.  He keeps bragging he’s saving all these jobs, but he’s not.  Trump is one of the want-to-be elites playing a populist role in his daily reality show performance.  These are not actions of a populist.