We are witnessing a global backlash against the liberal order. For the centrists and moderates who support liberal democratic institutions both domestically and internationally, they are seeing decades of hard work being undone. let's look at why. The establishment: the media, the professionals, the politicians, the academia... The leaders of nations, the ones who shape the national debate. You "know" what is ultimately in the best interest of your nation. You say free trade is ultimately the most beneficial in the long run, but in the short run the common man will find himself with a lower wage, and maybe even without a job. Immigration carries economic benefits you say, but the common man sees his nieghborhood transform beyond recognition and hears stories of abuse by foreigners. He grows fearful of strangers, and you take it as your mission to counter his ignorance with your lies by skewing the news, but he only starts to resent you. Your mission is supposed to be simple: to lead your nations to progress, but you have failed because of arrogance. Have you forgotten you live in a democracy? The concerns of the common man should not be dismissed: they are legitimate. Free trade is indeed the best in the long run, but you cannot forget to provide assistance to those who suffer from the short term readjustments. Immigration, in a certain amount, IS good, but the concerns about culture clashes and safety are real problems that must be adressed. If not, Trump happens. Le pen happens. While the common man's concerns are legitimate, the solutions he has for them are not. The longer you ignore his problems, the more crazy a solution he will support. Ignore him long enough, and he will vote you out of office and replace you with a populist. your mission could be so simple.. all you had to do was listen, and not be arrogant. now you might watch all your work be destroyed. moderation is key. maybe, if you hadn't insisted on massive immigration, but instead a slow but steady immigration, we wouldn't be having this anti-immigrant backlash? maybe, if you would have adressed the problems with free trade before signing new free trade agreements, we wouldn't have this anti-free trade backlash? grasp it all, lose it all, as we say in sweden. you arrogant fools...
