The election of Donald Trump and Brexit vote in 2016 was an expression of populism by right-leaning conservatives. The 2018 Midterm elections in America that gave the House of Representatives to the Democrats, elections in Italy and Mexico that gave the populist left-leaning progressives control of their governments, reflect a populist shift from the right-leaning conservatives to left-leaning progressives.
The showdown between both populist factions has resulted in the shutdown of the U.S. government and probability of a no-deal Brexit. And that is just the beginning of the populist shift.
It appears to me that populism is now a global phenomenon of all political colors and factions — tilting towards left-leaning progressives. Political establishments have to wake up to this political reality. They are being challenged by populism period! As a result, demands for more liberal economic reforms are going to top political agendas.
In the U.S., the 2020 Democratic presidential primary promises to nominate a left-leaning progressive. If there is a Republican primary, depending on the outcome of the Robert Mueller investigation, the Republicans primaries will give us Trump again, or center-right-leaning conservative. Resulting in a political showdown that will make the current political rhetoric regarding the government shutdown look like a walk in the park.
If Trump is impeached and there is a no-deal Brexit, both events will have a demoralizing effect on the right-leaning conservatives and boost the morale of left-leaning progressives. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris in the U.S. will be leading the progressive charge for health care, immigration and economic reform. The populist attack on the one percent will be ferocious.
In post-Brexit Britain, left-leaning Jeremy Corbyn could become Prime Minister.
Left-leaning populist wins in America and Britain will inspire and propel left-leaning populist movements around the world. Let’s not forget that Corbyn was once an enthusiastic fan of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and is an old friend and supporter of Mexico’s left-leaning president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He was a guest of honor at his inauguration.
The populist movement is definitely shifting gears from right to left. Whether they shift back or to the center remains to be seen – which is what makes 2019 and 2020 watershed political years for future generations.