Fareed Zakaria op-ed examines voter discontent and technological change
7 reported
An op-ed by Fareed Zakaria, described by the source as one of the best of the year, analyzes the causes of voter discontent in democratic countries. The piece argues that while economic factors such as expensive housing, stagnant incomes, and widening inequality have fueled public anger, economics is only part of the story. It notes that America has enjoyed stronger growth than most advanced economies, France under President Emmanuel Macron has lowered unemployment and attracted more foreign investment than any European country for seven straight years, South Korea is an economic success story, and Japan was experiencing a comeback. Despite these successes, democratic governments almost everywhere are unpopular. The op-ed suggests the larger explanation is that the world is living through one of history’s great technological revolutions, which always produce deep anxiety and fear. It draws a parallel to the last such transformation between 1880 and 1920, when electricity, telephones, railroads, automobiles, and movies overturned industries and ways of life, leading to political turmoil, mass movements, and world war.
What’s reported
The op-ed argues that economic factors like expensive housing, stagnant incomes, and widening inequality have fueled public anger.
It states that America has enjoyed stronger growth than most other advanced economies.
France under President Emmanuel Macron has lowered unemployment and attracted more foreign investment projects than any country in Europe for seven straight years, according to an Ernst & Young analysis.
South Korea is described as an economic success story, and Japan was experiencing a comeback.
Despite these economic successes, democratic governments almost everywhere are unpopular.
The op-ed claims the larger explanation is that the world is living through one of history’s great technological revolutions, which produce deep anxiety and fear.
It compares the current era to the technological transformation between 1880 and 1920, which led to political turmoil, mass movements, and world war.
Key figures
Fareed Zakaria (author of the op-ed)
Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
