Ivan Krastev, a prominent political scientist and author, shares insights on the implications of Trump’s potential reelection for global politics. He discusses the shift in American foreign policy, moving away from traditional paradigms, and its impact on Europe. Krastev reflects on the evolution of liberalism post-Cold War and the rise of nationalism, emphasizing how identity politics are reshaping political landscapes. The conversation also explores leadership dynamics amidst rising authoritarianism and the crucial understanding of voter motivations in modern resistance.
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insights INSIGHT
A Turning Point Election
Trump's victory signals a turning point, not just a new president.
His control of Congress and popular vote victory solidify his mandate.
insights INSIGHT
America as Hostage
Trump views America as a hostage to the American-led world order, not a hegemon.
His foreign policy aims to liberate America from existing commitments and ideological clichés.
insights INSIGHT
Europe's Demilitarization
Europe demilitarized, relying on the US, unlike neutral countries like Sweden and Finland.
Trump challenges this status quo, forcing Europe to reconsider its defense strategy.
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In this book, Ivan Krastev and Stephen Holmes argue that the supposed end of communism marked the beginning of an age of autocracy. They contend that the drive for democracy in Eastern Europe after 1989 led to a bitter repudiation of liberalism due to the painful process of 'copycat Westernization.' This mimicry of Western institutions and values, especially after the Soviet era, resulted in a deep-seated resentment and a political backlash against liberalism. The authors also examine how this phenomenon is linked to the rise of populist and nationalist movements in both Eastern Europe and the United States, including the Trump presidency. They discuss the roles of Russia, China, and other global actors in this context and argue that Western defenders of liberal democracy need to offer a more realistic vision of world order[2][3][5].
American politics
The Promise of Disharmony
Samuel P. Huntington
This book examines the radical gap between the promise of American ideals (liberty, equality, and hostility to authority) and the performance of American politics. Huntington argues that every third generation, Americans have tried to reconstruct their institutions to better reflect deeply rooted national ideals, leading to significant political upheavals such as those during the 1960s, the Progressive and Jacksonian Eras, and the American Revolution. He predicts that the tension between ideals and institutions will increase in the future and emphasizes the link between American power and the fate of liberty and democracy abroad.
The End of History and the Last Man
Francis Fukuyama
In this book, Francis Fukuyama posits that human history is moving towards a state of idealized harmony through the mechanisms of liberal democracy. He argues that liberal democracy is the final form of human government, driven by two powerful forces: the logic of modern science and the struggle for recognition. Fukuyama draws on the philosophical ideas of Hegel and Kojeve, suggesting that liberal democracy meets the economic and psychological needs of humanity, including the desire for recognition and dignity. The book explores the implications of this thesis, including the potential paradox that the satisfaction of basic needs might lead to a lack of outlets for human striving and recognition[2][3][5].
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty
Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States
Albert O. Hirschman
In this influential book, Albert O. Hirschman explores how individuals and groups respond to decline in various organizations. He introduces the concepts of 'exit' (withdrawing from the organization), 'voice' (attempting to improve the organization through complaint or protest), and 'loyalty' (the factor that can influence the choice between exit and voice). Hirschman argues that these responses are interdependent and that understanding their interaction is crucial for addressing organizational decline. The book applies these concepts to a wide range of economic, social, and political phenomena, including consumer behavior, political parties, and personal relationships.
Yascha Mounk and Ivan Krastev discuss what Trump’s reelection will mean for the future of the world.
Ivan Krastev is a political scientist, the chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia, Bulgaria, and permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. Krastev is the author of After Europe and, with Stephen Holmes, of The Light that Failed: A Reckoning.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Ivan Krastev discuss the advent of the Trump era in American politics; why liberals need to eschew their nostalgia for an older form of politics that now appears irretrievably lost; and how America's retreat will transform European culture.
The Good Fight 
