Global Politics Take a Turn to the Right

Weak growth and record immigration drive gains, especially for populist parties

- Bertrand Benoit

The progressive moment is over at least for now. This past year showed that the progressive politics that dominated most industrialized countries over the past two decades or more is shifting to the right, fueled by working-class anxieties over the economy and immigration, and growing fatigue with issues from climate change to identity politics.

The return of Trump to the White House is far from the only example.

Across Europe, where economic growth has largely stalled, conservatives and populist right-wing parties are making unprecedented gains. Three-quarters of governments in the European Union are either led by a right-ofcenter party or are ruled by a coalition that includes at least one.

Canada appears poised to kick out a deeply unpopular progressive prime minister and Germany is expected to dump its center-left government.

Part of the shift is the normal pendulum of politics. The difference this time is a strong strain of populism and a growing rejection of traditional parties.

In country after country, many working-class votersespecially outside the biggest cities are signaling they mistrust the establishment and feel these elites don't care about people like them.

Years of increased migration and trade, coupled with low economic growth, have led to a backlash and a rise in nationalism, where people want more of a sense of control, political analysts say. The rise of social media has exacerbated divisions.