The Populist Right Must Own Tariffs

a year ago

President Trump’s approval ratings are at near-historic lows, with economic disruption from tariffs likely to worsen his unpopularity.
Tariffs are seen as Trump’s personal obsession rather than a core part of the MAGA platform, unlike other right-populist leaders.
Hypothetical populist strategists might consider MAGA without Trump’s idiosyncrasies as a viable future platform, with figures like Vance potentially taking over.
Populism, especially Trump-style, is a toolbox for circumventing institutional middle layers, using strategies like unitary executive doctrine and dismissing dissent as treason.
The left’s institutionalist strategy also has vices, leading to ideological cults, while the right’s leads to personality cults.
The failure mode of populism is electing leaders with harmful idiosyncrasies, as seen with Trump’s tariffs and economic policies.
Trump’s presidency serves as a data point on the risks of populist leadership, showing how lack of checks can lead to damaging policies.
Comparisons to Hugo Chavez highlight the dangers of replacing competent officials with yes-men, leading to poor governance.
The article argues that the left, despite its flaws, may be a better starting point for governance than the right’s populist approach.
Economic devastation from tariffs could serve as a wake-up call for the populist right, forcing them to address the consequences of their ideology.

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