The EU on edge; what is populism?

Guest: Judy Dempsey, John Judis

At the Munich Security Conference and at yesterday’s meeting in Brussels, Vice-President Mike Pence tried to reassure European leaders of the United State’s commitment to its transatlantic allies. Countering Trump’s “America First” policy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week, that “No country can solve the problems alone, joint action is more important.”  We start out this hour talking with JUDY DEMPSEY, nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and editor in chief of the Strategic Europe blog, about the Munich summit, Pence’s trip to Brussels, and the state of US/Europe relations.  Then, there’s been a lot written about the populist surge behind Trump’s victory and its resurgence in Europe.  Writer JOHN JUDIS, looks at the history of populism which started in 1890’s America, and traces the phenomenon on the left and right.  He joins Marty to talk about his new book, The Populist Explosion: How the Great Recession Transformed American and European Politics.  

Reading List:

“May’s Myopic Gamble with Trump” – Judy Dempsy

“Sweden has no idea what Trump meant when he said, ‘You look at what’s happening…in Sweden'” – Nick Noack

“Donald Trump’s appeal is not just about ‘anger’ and ‘resentment'” – Carlos Lozada