For repudiated parties around the world, isn’t it time for a little introspection?
For repudiated parties around the world, isn’t it time for a little introspection?
D onald Trump’s victory shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. It is part of a worldwide revolt against unaccountable elites in government who have mismanaged economies and curtailed civil liberties since Covid. The result? For the first time since World War II, every governing party in a developed country that’s had a recent election has shed voters.
When Covid hit in early 2020, every developed country (save for Sweden and the United States partially) locked down its economy. They then encouraged the printing of money to pay for a tsunami of spending that unleashed inflation that crippled ordinary people.
Well, the voters have memories. Since the end of Covid, here is the list of incumbent governments that have been swept out of office by voters. Most are left of center, but a few are right of center: Italy, Argentina, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Austria, Portugal, the Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Belgium, and — of course — the United States.
Other parties were gravely weakened.
In Asia, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in parliamentary elections in late October. In South Korea, the main opposition Democratic Party won a majority in the National Assembly. The party of India’s Narendra Modi lost its majority in Parliament, curtailing its power. In South Africa, the African National Congress won only 40 percent of the vote, a big comedown after winning a majority in the previous six national votes.
Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must face the voters next year, there is a growing revolt. Trudeau’s Liberal Party trails the Conservative opposition by an average of 18 points.
But Germany will now vote even before Canada, just three months from now. Social Democratic German prime minister Olaf Scholz announced the collapse of his three-party coalition last week when the Free Democrats rebelled against his big spending plans.
His government will now face new elections in February, which the opposition Christian Democrats will very likely win.
When will all of these parties — starting with the Kamala Harris Democrats — engage in some real introspection about why and how they’ve alienated their electorates? Don’t hold your breath.