The third issue of The Diplomacist’s Global Podcast couldn’t come at a more contentious time. Up this week:
With the U.S. government firmly in the hands of Trump’s Republicans, Garrison Keillor argues that the Democrats can sit back and watch comfortably as those who voted Trump into power are forced to deal with the brunt of the pain. Is Keillor right?
The Independent made a bold statement this week, declaring that “Donald Trump would have lost the US election if Bernie Sanders had been the Democratic nominee.” Is this true? If so, is it a useful claim to explore?
Turning to the impact of Trump abroad we begin with Canada, where federal Conservative Party leadership candidate Kellie Leitch seems to have quickly changed her mind on the ‘fairness’ of her being compared to Trump by the media. Could America’s alt-right make it across border?
Finally: while the message being sent by most of the world’s leaders, including Theresa May, Justin Trudeau, Shinzo Abe, Francois Hollande, and even Enrique Pena Nieto, has been to reaffirm their countries’ relationships with the US despite the results of the election, Angela Merkel made clear that her country’s cooperation would be contingent on respect for the “values of of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views.” What does the chancellor’s statement signify for German-American relations?
As always, leave feedback, topic suggestions, or counterpoints in the comments and we’ll do our best to respond to them!
Host
Benson Cook is completing a degree in Political Science, History and Indigenous Studies at McGill University. He is particularly interested in the role of external factors, like natural resources and foreign state behaviour, in domestic politics. In addition to his work at the Diplomacist, Benson is also a contributor for CJAD 800 AM in Montréal.
Expert’s Desk Panel
Jessica Lyver is an Honours Economics and Accounting student at McGill University. She has been employed with the House of Commons for four years and is currently serving as the Vice-president of the Conservative Association at McGill.
Leila Mathy is a junior at McGill University, double majoring in Political Science and English Drama and Theatre. Leila is Belgian and was born and raised abroad, and has learned to appreciate global affairs, whether social or political. Outside of class, she enjoys her job as a writer for thethings.comand the McGill Tribune.
Patrick O’Donnell is a junior at McGill University, where he is pursuing a Joint Honours degree in Political Science and Philosophy with minor in Sociology. He is interested in the effects of asymmetric conflict on both regional dynamics and global relations, with a particular focus on the origins and effects of peaceful and violent resistance. A dual Dutch-Canadian citizen, he is a graduate of the United World College in New Mexico.
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