Bloody Hell. Isn’t it patently OBVIOUS that underlying all these cris de coeur – the yellowjackets, Trumpeters, Ukippery and the rest – is the failure of late-stage unrestrained capitalism in all the countries affected?
But of course if we point this out we’re labelled as loony Lefties.
Porter’s Pensées 
I do not think one can credibly maintain that a vote and support for Trump is tantamount to a protest against unrestrained capitalism. While some residents in rust-belt regions might have fallen for Trump in the mistaken expectation that he would restore the damage caused by globalisation, the poorest 36% of US voters – those earning under $50K per year – were not fooled and opted for Clinton over Trump, 52% to 41%. On the other hand, Trump won in all income categories above $50 K per year. Thus, in the main, those who were most adversely affected by unrestrained capitalism voted against Trump, while those who were doing comparatively well out of the current economic-political constellation voted in favour of Trump.
The most telling statistic is that, of the 35% of US voters who identify as conservative (and not liberal), 81% voted for Trump and only 15% for Clinton. His appeal lay and continues to depend on his crude nationalism; overt racism, against blacks, Hispanics and immigrants; together with his ‘pro-life’ orientation; his opposition to gun control; his advocacy for low taxes; and environmental deregulation.
Trump’s current attraction to tariffs can be read in two ways: implausibly, as indicative of a wish to restrain capitalist trade; or, more persuasively, as an expression of his willingness to use any means to secure US economic interests. He has signalled that he is not going to be restrained by principles such as free trade.
Everything about Trump denotes a loathing for restraint of all kinds; he is the embodiment of Mr Unrestrained Capitalism. That is the basis of his appeal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Philip; you’re right of course to show that the Trump vote was not one against capitalism. But that may be because his supporters were not aware of what was really hurting them, and so turned, in despair or anger, to what could be presented to them as the source of their woes or complaints. Capitalists are good at creating scapegoats. My argument would be that if the US had been a more equal and ‘social’ country, people would not have been so dissatisfied as to vote for Trump’s easy solutions. – In regard this, I was much influenced by Thomas Frank’s 2005 book, What’s the Matter with Kansas?, which spells out this kind of ‘false consciousness’ to explain GW Bush’s appeal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am interested in your view/prediction of what will happen next in the Brexit saga, Bernard.
LikeLike
No-one can predict the outcome of this farce, Philip! But I will blog about it later. For the moment I have other things on my mind. Like what presents to buy for 8 (EIGHT!) grandchildren.
LikeLiked by 1 person