The Foreign Affairs Interview

Trump and the Crisis of Liberalism

Nov 21, 2024

Francis Fukuyama, a renowned political scientist and author, joins editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan to dive into the current crises facing global democracy amid Donald Trump’s potential return. They discuss the backlash against the status quo and explore how economic dissatisfaction fuels support for illiberal populism. Fukuyama analyzes the institutional challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the paradox of the U.S.'s international strength contrasted with its internal divisions. Their conversation also touches on the implications for foreign policy amid rising global tensions.

35:13

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Episode guests

Francis Fukuyama

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Quick takeaways

Trump's electoral success highlights a global trend of populism undermining liberal democracy amid rising economic discontent and dissatisfaction with incumbent leaders.

The current threats to liberal democracy stem from populist leaders' actions that weaken institutional checks and balances, challenging the foundational principles of democratic governance.

Deep dives

Economic Discontent and Global Democracy

Economic discontent has emerged as a significant force that can overshadow support for global democracy, particularly highlighted by the recent political trends. The election of Donald Trump has been perceived as a setback for liberal democracy, with authoritarian leaders around the world finding encouragement in his victory. This phenomenon has led to the rise of illiberal populism in various regions, as evidenced by the growing influence of right-leaning parties in Europe and beyond. The interconnectedness of financial instability and political discontent continues to threaten democratic institutions globally.

Intro

2min

Global Implications of a Divisive Election

8min

Political Crisis and Institutional Challenges Post-COVID

8min

The Paradox of Domestic Dysfunction and Global Power

4min

Navigating Global Tensions: Ukraine and Beyond

13min

The Erosion of Democratic Norms in the U.S.

3min

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election comes at a moment of turbulence for global democracy. It’s been a year marked by almost universal backlash against incumbent leaders by voters apparently eager to express their anger with the status quo—and also an era when liberalism has been in retreat, if not in crisis.

Francis Fukuyama, a political scientist at Stanford University, has done as much as anyone to elucidate the currents shaping and reshaping global politics. He wrote The End of History and the Last Man, a seminal work of post–Cold War political theory, more than three decades ago. And in the years since, he has written a series of influential essays for Foreign Affairs and other publications.

He joins Editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan to consider what Trump’s return to the presidency means for liberal democracy—and whether its future, in the United States and around the world, is truly at stake.

You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

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The Foreign Affairs Interview

Trump and the Crisis of Liberalism

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Economic Discontent and Global Democracy

Defining Liberal Democracy

Pandemic's Impact on Trust in Government

Evolving Challenges in U.S. Foreign Policy

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts