Economist Podcasts Checks and Balance: Well enough alone?
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Oct 27, 2023 
Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, delves into the Republican Party's ideological journey from internationalism to isolationism. Edward Carr, Deputy Editor at The Economist, emphasizes how current skepticism towards foreign alliances shapes U.S. foreign policy. They discuss the implications of recent political dynamics, military aid debates, and America's evolving role globally. The conversation also touches on historical influences, including Eisenhower's moderate stance and the challenges posed by a divided political landscape.
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The Return to 1920s GOP
- Today's Republican Party reflects the GOP of the 1920s, echoing its stance on isolationism, immigration, and protectionism.
- The 60-year period between Eisenhower and Trump appears as an aberration in the long arc of Republican history.
Heritage Foundation's Shift
- The Heritage Foundation's shift mirrors the Republican Party's change, prioritizing domestic issues like declining marriage and birth rates.
- They see China as a greater threat than Russia and advocate for prioritizing American interests in foreign policy.
From Hegemony to Economic Weakness
- America's post-WWII hegemony led to an embrace of free market ideology and economic power projection.
- This approach is now challenged by America's weakened economic standing and the rise of other global powers.