The Daily Gamecock

Column: Populism is faltering

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One handwritten letter has set into motion world-changing events that have been months in the making. The United Kingdom has invoked article 50, an exit strategy for countries to leave the European Union. Now, the country will have two years to negotiate trade deals with the continent. The same populist movement that gave rise to Brexit resulted in Americans electing Donald Trump to the presidency. However, the result of that election may only be an example of the apple falling close to the tree. 

Fears that populist governments would spring up throughout Europe signaling an end of the European Union have begun to be allayed. Geert Wilders in the Netherlands lost ground on his more traditional political opponent as the status quo appears to be regaining traction in Europe.

It is a subtle reminder that populism, even though it has the potential to drastically alter countries, is also temporary. The election of one populist official in one country does not signal the doom of a traditional politician in another. The same can be said of Trump in the United States. Just because the man was elected in this cycle, does not mean the movement will continue for years to come.

Politicians are meant to represent and listen to the will of the people. There are times when populism swells to the front of the American conscious. President Andrew Jackson was one of such example of a president that represented the will of the common man. Donald Trump tapped into the anger and frustration of a base that felt as if they had been abandoned by the government. He spoke in ways that were different, and he spoke directly to his base in a way that no candidate had before. He promised to bring jobs back to America and to promote industry that stays on our shores.

His level of success at achieving these goals will be a good indicator of the future of American politics. If he brings back the jobs he said he would and makes America great again, then we very well may see candidates like Trump in the near future. But, if his presidency lags through his term with no major bills passed, the wall unbuilt and Obamacare still in place, Trump’s populism will wither away. It is up to both political parties to show that proper governance still exists.


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