Oct 13, 2018 - World

The populist tide keeps rising

Illustration: Lazaro Gamio/Axios

The more advanced economies had thought the forces of globalization — ever-opening trade and the free movement of people — were inexorable. 

Instead, they have been overwhelmed by the forces of tribal identity — a feeling across the West of a loss of stature, self-dignity, and power over your own destiny. 

  • In country after country, look for the populist wave to go on for decades. 
  • And when they are played out, look for the West to be a very different world, although it's difficult to discern even the outlines of what may be coming. 

The bottom line: People are angry at their establishment leaders, their institutions, and immigrants. Brazil, Latvia and Serbia are the latest to vote for nationalist leaders promising to kick out the scoundrels. 

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