James Hollifield, Professor of International Political Economy in the Department of Political Science, Director of the Tower Center and, Acting Director of the Texas-México Center at SMU will talk about Reactionary Populism, the ‘New’ Nationalism, and the End of Liberalism. Please find James Hollifield`s bio here.
The United States is not alone. Liberal democracies around the world have experienced a rise in reactionary populism and a ‘new’ nationalism reaching levels not seen since the interwar period of the 1920s and ‘30s.
Professor James Hollifield will explain this dramatic shift in politics, and he will put the American experience into comparative and historical perspective: from the breakthrough of radical right parties in Europe, to Brexit in the U.K., the rise of the AfD in Germany, and the election and reelection of Donald Trump, who has vowed to ‘make America great again’ by doubling down on economic nationalism (across the board tariffs for friend and foe alike), rolling back civil rights and liberties of citizens, immigrants (mass deportations), and other minority groups, and repudiation of the EU and the Atlantic Alliance. Is this the end of the liberal interregnum in world politics, 1945-2025 RIP? If so, what next?
A reception will be held before the lecture. Please register by email: [email protected] and include the number and names of the guests. Further details and the location will then be provided.