The region is ill-prepared for President Trump

20100725theviewfromeuropeDispossessed by economic globalisation, faced with growing economic inequality, and wanting change, the people of the United States have elected Donald Trump to be their President. In doing so, they voted for the unknown, for rhetoric that may or may not be met by commensurate action, and for a man without political or military experience.

In his campaign, Mr Trump skilfully exploited what has become known as post-factual politics. This is the practice whereby someone in, or running for high office, speak untruths, draws factually incorrect conclusions, makes assertions, provides no policy details, and has no consistent philosophy.

The inference was that US voter anger and sentiment existed to be rendered not into practical alternatives, but