Donald 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.
When COVID hit in early 2020, every industrial democracy (save for Sweden and partially the United States) locked down their economies. They then encouraged the printing of money to pay for a tsunami of spending that unleashed inflation that crippled ordinary people.
Since the end of COVID, here is the list of incumbent governments that have been swept out of office by voters.
United Kingdom, Italy, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, and – of course – the United States. Ruling parties in France, South Korea, Japan, and India have lost their governing majority and have had to form minority governments.
Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must face the voters next year, is likely the next country to turf out its ruling party (Trudeau is trailing his Conservative opposition by up to 20 points).
But Germany may go first. Socialist German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz announced the collapse of his three-party coalition this week. His government will face a confidence vote in Parliament on January 15. He is likely to lose that vote and trigger an early election in March, which the opposition Christian Democrats will likely win.
When will governing parties such as Kamala Harris’ Democrats engage in some real introspection about why they’ve alienated their electorates? Don’t hold your breath.