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Title: The new political divide
Source:
The Economist
URL Source: http://www.economist.com/news/leade ... rs-now-open-against-closed-new
Published: Jul 31, 2016
Author: staff
Post Date: 2016-07-31 22:40:26 by buckeroo
Keywords: None
Views: 1310
Comments: 12
AS POLITICAL theatre, America’s party conventions have no parallel. Activists from right and left converge to choose their nominees and celebrate conservatism (Republicans) and progressivism (Democrats). But this year was different, and not just because Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major party. The conventions highlighted a new political faultline: not between left and right, but between open and closed (see article). Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, summed up one side of this divide with his usual pithiness. “Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo,” he declared. His anti-trade tirades were echoed by the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party. America is not alone. Across Europe, the politicians with momentum are those who argue that the world is a nasty, threatening place, and that wise nations should build walls to keep it out. Such arguments have helped elect an ultranationalist government in Hungary and a Polish one that offers a Trumpian mix of xenophobia and disregard for constitutional norms. Populist, authoritarian European parties of the right or left now enjoy nearly twice as much support as they did in 2000, and are in government or in a ruling coalition in nine countries. So far, Britain’s decision to leave the European Union has been the anti-globalists’ biggest prize: the vote in June to abandon the world’s most successful free-trade club was won by cynically pandering to voters’ insular instincts, splitting mainstream parties down the middle. News that strengthens the anti-globalisers’ appeal comes almost daily. On July 26th two men claiming allegiance to Islamic State slit the throat of an 85-year-old Catholic priest in a church near Rouen. It was the latest in a string of terrorist atrocities in France and Germany. The danger is that a rising sense of insecurity will lead to more electoral victories for closed-world types. This is the gravest risk to the free world since communism. Nothing matters more than countering it. Higher walls, lower living standards Start by remembering what is at stake. The multilateral system of institutions, rules and alliances, led by America, has underpinned global prosperity for seven decades. It enabled the rebuilding of post-war Europe, saw off the closed world of Soviet communism and, by connecting China to the global economy, brought about the greatest poverty reduction in history. A world of wall-builders would be poorer and more dangerous. If Europe splits into squabbling pieces and America retreats into an isolationist crouch, less benign powers will fill the vacuum. Mr Trump’s revelation that he might not defend America’s Baltic allies if they are menaced by Russia was unfathomably irresponsible (see article). America has sworn to treat an attack on any member of the NATO alliance as an attack on all. If Mr Trump can blithely dishonour a treaty, why would any ally trust America again? Without even being elected, he has emboldened the world’s troublemakers. Small wonder Vladimir Putin backs him. Even so, for Mr Trump to urge Russia to keep hacking Democrats’ e-mails is outrageous. The wall-builders have already done great damage. Britain seems to be heading for a recession, thanks to the prospect of Brexit. The European Union is tottering: if France were to elect the nationalist Marine Le Pen as president next year and then follow Britain out of the door, the EU could collapse. Mr Trump has sucked confidence out of global institutions as his casinos suck cash out of punters’ pockets. With a prospective president of the world’s largest economy threatening to block new trade deals, scrap existing ones and stomp out of the World Trade Organisation if he doesn’t get his way, no firm that trades abroad can approach 2017 with equanimity. In defence of openness Countering the wall-builders will require stronger rhetoric, bolder policies and smarter tactics. First, the rhetoric. Defenders of the open world order need to make their case more forthrightly. They must remind voters why NATO matters for America, why the EU matters for Europe, how free trade and openness to foreigners enrich societies, and why fighting terrorism effectively demands co-operation. Too many friends of globalisation are retreating, mumbling about “responsible nationalism”. Only a handful of politicians—Justin Trudeau in Canada, Emmanuel Macron in France—are brave enough to stand up for openness. Those who believe in it must fight for it. They must also acknowledge, however, where globalisation needs work. Trade creates many losers, and rapid immigration can disrupt communities. But the best way to address these problems is not to throw up barriers. It is to devise bold policies that preserve the benefits of openness while alleviating its side-effects. Let goods and investment flow freely, but strengthen the social safety-net to offer support and new opportunities for those whose jobs are destroyed. To manage immigration flows better, invest in public infrastructure, ensure that immigrants work and allow for rules that limit surges of people (just as global trade rules allow countries to limit surges in imports). But don’t equate managing globalisation with abandoning it. As for tactics, the question for pro-open types, who are found on both sides of the traditional left-right party divide, is how to win. The best approach will differ by country. In the Netherlands and Sweden, centrist parties have banded together to keep out nationalists. A similar alliance defeated the National Front’s Jean-Marie Le Pen in the run-off for France’s presidency in 2002, and may be needed again to beat his daughter in 2017. Britain may yet need a new party of the centre. In America, where most is at stake, the answer must come from within the existing party structure. Republicans who are serious about resisting the anti-globalists should hold their noses and support Mrs Clinton. And Mrs Clinton herself, now that she has won the nomination, must champion openness clearly, rather than equivocating. Her choice of Tim Kaine, a Spanish-speaking globalist, as her running-mate is a good sign. But the polls are worryingly close. The future of the liberal world order depends on whether she succeeds. 
Good article. (1 image)
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#1. To: buckeroo (#0)
He is a one sided idiot. For one anyone that says Hillary is a better choice at anything is a complete and utter moron. One sided free trade does not and can not ever work. It has so decimated America that it will take decades to recover, if ever. One world government is stupid. I guess people have forgotten that there is only 300 million Americans and 2 billion Chinese. We could kiss everything we and our families have worked to build in no time. Being a little selfish is a good thing and being a lot naive is a really bad thing!
I must be confused but how is this a good article?
The danger is that a rising sense of insecurity will lead to more electoral victories for closed-world types. This is the gravest risk to the free world since communism. Nothing matters more than countering it. Lousey article. Written by a half-wit and posted by a half-wit. The author sells broad contentless generalities and name-calling without backing it up with evidence or analysis on the concrete level.
"the statement of a prominent official, Alfonso Nunez de Castro in 1675: “Let London manufacture those fine fabrics of hers to her heart's content; let Holland her chambrays; Florence her cloth; the Indies their beaver and vicuna; Milan her brocade, Italy and Flanders their linens...so long as our capital can enjoy them; the only thing it proves is that all nations train their journeymen for Madrid, and that Madrid is the queen of Parliaments, for all the world serves her and she serves nobody.” A few years later, the Madrid government was bankrupt. The Spanish nobleman had foolishly elevated consumption, a use for wealth, above production, the creation of wealth."
Yes. It is a failed attempt to sell globalization. It is full of shit! Si vis pacem, para bellum Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. if you look around, we have gone so far down the the rat hole, the almighty is going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah, if we don't have a judgement come down on us. President Obama is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people. --Clint Eastwood "I am concerned for the security of our great nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within." -- General Douglas MacArthur
Explain your statement. I am all ears as so called "free trade" is not one-sided.
Excellent perspective and thanks for the question. The cartoon from the article shows the author's perspective and shifts the ISSUES from political boundaries (as in political parties) to the publick's consciousness of and about their own national sovereignty. True, the author describes his political views which are contrary to national sovereignty. But, the article is well written and moves the bar for why there is so much in-fighting around the world; certainly the USA exposes the problem.
See my comment just above.
When foreign countries don't live up to thier end of free trade. They create dollar wars so thier products cheaper. Not one dime in taxes is paid on foreign goods. It's one sided free trade. We have absolutely screwed America with one sided free trade.
Where is the "we" stuff? I think you mean those who identify with the goddamned GOP/DEM unified political party.
Anyone that is for free trade or as it should be called one sided free trade. Im for fair trade as most common sense people are. But that would require to much work on the federal government.
True, the author describes his political views which are contrary to national sovereignty. But, the article is well written and moves the bar for why there is so much in-fighting around the world; certainly the USA exposes the problem. To me and most people who have not bought into globalism at all cost would see the issue as it really is. A way to make all citizens peons or equally poor around the world including US citizens. Its the argument conservatives have with progressives. Progressives want everyone to equally harmed and kept down whereas conservatives want everyone held to a higher standard and helped up to the standard. Globalism is a progressive tool to keep people down while the rich get richer. The only time progressives want higher standards is when they want to control something they can not control otherwise. Man made global warming would be one of those issues which progressives really like saying global warming which is really just nature but they imply that all global warming is man made and everything should be regulated because of global warming.
#2. To: buckeroo (#0)
Good article.
#3. To: buckeroo (#0)
Good article.
#4. To: Justified (#1)
One sided free trade does not and can not ever work. It has so decimated America that it will take decades to recover, if ever.
#5. To: rlk (#3)
" Lousey article. Written by a half-wit and posted by a half-wit. "
#6. To: Justified (#1)
One sided free trade does not and can not ever work. It has so decimated America that it will take decades to recover, if ever.
#7. To: Justified (#2)
I must be confused but how is this a good article?
#8. To: rlk (#3)
#9. To: buckeroo (#6)
#10. To: Justified (#9)
We have absolutely screwed America with one sided free trade.
#11. To: buckeroo (#10)
Where is the "we" stuff? I think you mean those who identify with the goddamned GOP/DEM unified political party.
#12. To: buckeroo (#7)
Excellent perspective and thanks for the question. The cartoon from the article shows the author's perspective and shifts the ISSUES from political boundaries (as in political parties) to the publick's consciousness of and about their own national sovereignty.
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