Trump’s Wisdom for the International Political Economy: A Way to Collective Carnage?

Authors : Fatma Nil DÖNER

Pages : 105-130

View : 19 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2019-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study intends to analyse the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency of the  U.S. as a symptom of the economic aftershocks to the 2008 financial crisis at  the global and domestic  levels. In response to the financial crisis and structural  shifts in the global economy, Trump is pursuing protectionist measures which are  being legitimized domestically by applying exclusionary policies based on a logic  of “us vs. them.” By focusing on Trump’s public speeches, U.S. National Security  Strategy and budgetary documents, this study will explore how Trump’s intention  of “America First” resonates in the political economy and foreign policy plans of  the U.S. It claims that the Trump administration, which faces a legitimacy crisis  at home and abroad, will continue to be deeply affected by its policy decisions  considering, first, protectionism versus openness in foreign affairs and second,  equality versus efficiency in domestic politics. The Trump administration may also  hasten the demise of the global system by its isolationist policies which encourage  polarization.
Keywords : Trump, political economy, America First, international institutions, populism, legitimacy crisis