Michael Sandel: How the Left Paved the Way for Trump | The Agenda

Michael Sandel: How the Left Paved the Way for Trump | The Agenda

Why did Trump win again? Did the Democratic Party lean too heavily on identity politics while ignoring the economic frustrations of working-class voters? Have we entered a new political era, one that signals the end of the economic vision shaped by Reagan and Thatcher?

Michael Sandel joins The Agenda with Steve Paikin to explain how the left lost its way, alienating the very working-class voters who once formed its base. He argues that economic inequality, globalization, and meritocratic elitism have fueled resentment, creating the conditions for populist movements in the United States and beyond. The Democratic Party’s failure to address wage stagnation and the loss of economic security made way for Trump’s second term, leaving many to wonder whether Trumpism is a short-term phenomenon or a lasting shift in politics.

Bill Clinton’s policies and the embrace of free-market globalization played a key role in shaping today’s political divide. While many believed that Joe Biden’s presidency would restore faith in progressive politics, Sandel argues that it may instead be remembered as an interregnum in the age of Trump. As working-class voters continue to feel alienated, the Democratic Party faces an identity crisis.

Populism, economic anxiety, and the failures of the Left have reshaped democracy in ways that are still unfolding. Sandel explores whether the Democratic Party can redefine its mission, speak to voter frustrations, and reclaim a progressive vision that resonates with those who feel left behind.

Watch now as Michael Sandel breaks down how Trump’s victory exposed the Left’s failures and what must happen next.

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