Staff Reports
The sweep of populism continues to be felt across the globe, reminiscent of the Brexit wave that signaled a strong shift in national attitudes back in 2016. That historical rejection of the European Union not only reverberated through the United Kingdom but also paved the way for Trump’s triumphant rise in American politics. Fast forward to the present, and the landscape appears ripe for a similar victory, with Trump reemerging as the president-elect after decisively topping Vice President Kamala Harris.
Recent global trends indicate that incumbents are facing unprecedented upheaval in countries with a history of stable governance. Just take a look around: Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party recently suffered its most significant electoral setback in years, while Austria’s People’s Party took a nosedive, losing 11 percent and shedding 20 seats in Parliament. The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, once a behemoth, found itself in tatters after a staggering electoral loss. And do not overlook France, where the ruling centrist alliance was stripped of over a third of its parliamentary seats. Clearly, the grassroots discontent is resonating beyond the shores of the United States, reflecting a shared dissatisfaction with the status quo.
These electoral shake-ups around the world diverge from the predictable left-right script of political discourse. Whether it’s the center-right parties in Australia and Belgium facing losses, or center-left governments in Sweden and Finland struggling to hold ground, a common thread emerges: a robust rejection of established political figures and policies. Over in Botswana, for instance, the nation’s long-ruling party faced a historic defeat that showcased a decisive push against incumbency, further illustrating a worldwide trend of voters demanding change.
Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters (from @AP) https://t.co/bxEjhut72C
— The Editorial Board (@johnastoehr) November 6, 2024
In America, the environmental factors shaping Trump’s return to power do mirror those around the globe. This election made it abundantly clear that voters were dissatisfied with the status quo, something Harris couldn’t shake off, no matter how hard she tried. She rode in on the coattails of a defeated administration, but the lingering dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership was impossible to ignore. Trump, on the other hand, managed to cast aside his recent controversies with remarkable ease, demonstrating a resilience that Harris failed to exhibit.
Despite her campaign’s initial seemingly unstoppable momentum, well-funded efforts, and glowing media coverage, Harris proved unable to present herself as the change candidate voters desperately sought. Economic concerns took center stage, with a whopping two-thirds of voters describing the national economic state as “fair” or “poor.” Every statistic showed that voters were yearning for a return to the pre-COVID-19 economic highs, a reality that Harris, despite her spirited campaign, could not effectively address.
The final showdown revealed that, when push came to shove, none of Harris’s substantial campaign advantages could outshine the looming specter of dissatisfaction hanging over her administration. In a world where voters are placing a premium on real, tangible change, she simply could not deliver, proving once again that in the game of politics, the incumbent’s shield can quickly turn into an anchor.
