Podcast Summary:

Hey there, and welcome back! Today, we’re diving into an important and thought-provoking piece from Dylan Matthews at Vox, titled “We’ll Miss Globalism When It’s Gone.” Matthews takes us on a journey through the rise and apparent fall of a bipartisan era of global economic openness—one that saw support for free trade, immigration, and foreign aid from both major U.S. political parties. But as Trump’s second term wears on, that consensus has eroded, leading to massive cuts in foreign aid, a retreat from free trade, and harsher immigration policies. Matthews highlights the brutal real-world consequences, particularly in cuts to HIV and pandemic prevention programs, which could lead to as many as 1.6 million deaths worldwide. As the U.S. turns inward, the question isn’t just economic—it’s moral. Will we look back at the era of globalization with nostalgia, or try to rebuild the coalitions that once upheld it? Buckle up, because this is a big one.

Key Points:

• Bipartisan Globalism (1986-2016): For decades, both Republicans and Democrats supported policies that embraced the world—free trade, open immigration, and foreign aid.
• Foreign Aid Under Threat: The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has slashed foreign aid, with some programs seeing cuts as high as **90%**—a move that could result in over 1.6 million deaths due to HIV aid shortages.
• Economic and Moral Motivations: U.S. leaders historically supported globalization not just for economic benefits but also out of a sense of responsibility to uplift poorer nations.
• The Decline of Consensus: Growing nationalism and anti-globalization sentiment have shifted both Republican and Democratic stances on trade and immigration.
• Foreign Aid Politics: While once supported by figures like George W. Bush and Lindsey Graham, aid spending is now a prime target for cuts, partially due to the influence of figures like Elon Musk and conspiracy theorists like Mike Benz.
• Impact on the World: Matthews argues that America's turn away from global engagement will have devastating effects both economically and in terms of human lives lost.

If this trend continues, will we be nostalgic for the era of globalism? Or is there still a way to bring it back? Let’s discuss. Stay tuned for more! 🚀
Link to Article