VoxTalks Economics S7 Ep56: Populism and war
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Nov 29, 2024 Massimo Morelli, a Professor at Bocconi University and co-author of the influential paper 'Populism and War', dives into the effects of populism on global relations. He explains how populist leaders, like Donald Trump, can elevate the risk of conflict, particularly through policies that prioritize national interests over international cooperation. Morelli reveals intriguing insights into unexpected conflict hotspots, such as Ghana and South Africa, while shedding light on the complexities of trade wars and their socio-economic impacts.
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Populist Strategies
- Populism responds to distrust in traditional politics and markets by offering simple, monitorable policy commitments.
- These often include exclusionary policies like walls and protectionism, exemplified by Donald Trump.
Trump's Transactional Approach
- Trump's transactional, "America First" approach translates into disengagement from international relations not directly benefiting the US.
- This includes cutting trade relations and adopting a disengagement doctrine in foreign policy for international security.
Impact on Divided Countries
- Populist policies like protectionism and disengagement weaken governments in divided countries.
- This can lead to either increased inequality or conflict as governments revise social contracts downwards for opposition groups.