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The Reactionary Spirit in US and Global Politics
An analysis of the "reactionary spirit" in American and global politics, focusing on the role of figures like Donald Trump and the implications for democracy.
Italian
Italy
PoliticsUs PoliticsDemocracyCultureAuthoritarianismConservatism
VoxMinimum FaxCapitol Hill
Zack BeauchampDonald TrumpKamala HarrisJoe BidenViktor OrbánBenjamin NetanyahuNarendra ModiBarack Obama
- Is there a global anti-democratic movement?
- Beauchamp observes a global anti-democratic movement gaining traction within many advanced democracies' right wings. The reactionary spirit he describes contributes significantly to this erosion of democratic principles, advocating for cultural policies through authoritarian means.
- What do Trump, Orbán, Netanyahu, and Modi have in common?
- Trump, Orbán, Netanyahu, and Modi share a "reactionary spirit" – a willingness to use authoritarian methods for cultural policy goals. Despite differing backgrounds and contexts, they all achieved power by fighting social and cultural change.
- Does Trump have a realistic chance of returning to the White House?
- Trump's chances of returning to the White House are considered significant due to America's deep political polarization and the numerous divisive issues defining the current political landscape, making it a close contest.
- Is the January 6th insurrection an example of the American reactionary spirit?
- The January 6th Capitol Hill insurrection exemplifies this reactionary spirit. Motivated by fear of cultural change, participants aimed to halt a peaceful transfer of power, demonstrating the reactionary ability to attack democracy while claiming democratic principles.
- How can the US, as the oldest uninterrupted democracy, be an example of a "reactionary spirit"?
- According to Beauchamp, the US isn't inherently reactionary but has a long-standing reactionary tradition rooted in a hierarchical view of society, contrasting with its democratic ideals. This tradition manifests in policies and actions that oppose social change, viewing democracy as an enemy.