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Mindless Populism: Brexit, Trump, Bolsonaro, & Co
How pandering to the ignorant and foolish always ends in disaster.
Back in the Spring of 2016 a slender majority of British voters opted for a vague promise and a barrel-full of infantile lies. An IPSOS/MORI poll of thousands of Brexit voters revealed that they were on average much older, much less educated, and much more ignorant than those who voted to remain in the European Union. Most Brexit voters seemed to imagine that leaving the European Union would mean a return of the British Empire, Spitfires flying over the White Cliffs of Dover, and being able to buy exclusively British-manufactured products in the shops.
In other words, Brexit voters ignored reality in favor of a childish nostalgic fantasy. They were running away and hiding under the bed, unable to face up to real life.
Nearly four years later, the UK is poised to leave the EU on 31st January and crash out entirely on January 1st 2021 when the eleven-month transition period is over. The current UK government, led by a Trump-wannabe called Boris Johnson, has already passed legislation ensuring the worst possible outcome, namely: a “hard” Brexit after which little trading will occur with the EU.
Now, even a very slow-witted and ignorant Brit might begin to wonder if this outcome is really such a good idea. After all, 47%…
