There have been many hyperbolic headlines about Donald Trump these last few days and weeks, so I’d like to add my own – can America survive the Donald as president?
I don’t mean that, as chief executive, he’s going to become a dictator and begin world war three, although as this week’s leader points out, his opposition to free trade could be seriously bad news.
Rather, Trump is a product of a noticeable trend in American life – the extreme polarisation of its political system – and he’s bound to accelerate it. Research shows that the median Republican and Democrat position on many issues has noticeably moved away from the centre, while the percentage of each group who have a negative view of the other has sharply increased. Add to this the fact that an increasing number of Americans are living in politically polarised counties, and that many would disapprove of a family member dating a member of the opposite political tribe.
These are not good signs, but what I find most disturbing are stories like this recent one about three American cities barring employees from traveling to North Carolina.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in