The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism
English Summary
The analysis argues that the United States is entering an era of violent populism, where mainstream Americans increasingly view force as a legitimate political tool, normalizing acts of violence against officials and institutions. Key evidence includes the sharp rise in threats against Congress since 2016, which signals a systemic breakdown rather than mere political noise. This belief in political violence is primarily fueled by two broad anxieties: the fear of demographic change (becoming a white-minority country) and the perception of permanent economic loss. Policy implications require acknowledging that political violence often precedes democratic collapse, necessitating proactive strategies to address deep-seated social and economic anxieties.
中文摘要
本分析指出，美國正進入一個暴力民粹主義的時代，主流美國人越來越將武力視為合法的政治工具，使針對官員和制度的暴力行為常態化。關鍵證據包括自2016年以來針對國會的威脅急劇增加，這表明的是系統性的崩潰，而非單純的政治喧囂。這種對政治暴力的信念，主要由兩種廣泛的焦慮所驅動：對人口結構變化的恐懼（即成為白人少數族裔國家），以及對永久性經濟損失的感知。政策意涵要求我們承認，政治暴力往往是民主崩潰的前兆，因此有必要採取主動策略，以應對根深蒂固的社會和經濟焦慮。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
The article argues that Donald Trump's unique and prolonged lame-duck period, coupled with domestic political pressures, makes him dangerously prone to international instability. Having exhausted major diplomatic gambits, Trump is expected to channel his energy into high-stakes, unilateral actions, primarily targeting adversaries such as Iran and Cuba. These potential actions—ranging from fresh strikes in the Persian Gulf to attempts at regime change—carry a significant risk of destabilizing regional security and triggering a global economic crisis. Policymakers must anticipate this pivot to high-risk foreign policy to mitigate potential international flare-ups.
-
3.
China's economic strategy is characterized by a persistent 'economics of denial,' prioritizing massive state-directed investment in advanced technology over addressing weak domestic consumption. This approach is rooted in a flawed belief that controlling physical capital will automatically generate productivity and wage growth, ignoring the structural imbalance where domestic demand consistently falls short of supply. This overinvestment and underconsumption model is unsustainable. Consequently, Beijing's policies will continue to generate global deflationary pressures and escalating trade friction, necessitating a fundamental pivot toward consumption-led growth for long-term stability.
-
4.
The Blue Wave signals significant voter frustration with cost of living and inflation, giving Congress a mandate to prioritize affordability and cost-reduction measures. Economically, the rapid build-out of AI data centers is creating localized stress, driving up skilled labor wages and straining resources, while also facing constraints from power grids and potential local regulatory backlash. Policymakers must manage this 'sequencing issue'—addressing rising costs before full productivity gains from AI can materialize—and anticipate shifts in global data center infrastructure as the market matures.
-
5.
The built environment workforce, comprising 15.3 million workers across 95 occupations, is foundational to modern infrastructure and economic stability. While highly paid, the workforce suffers from significant demographic imbalances, being disproportionately white and male, and often lacking clear career progression pathways. To prevent project delays and cost overruns, policy must mandate that capital asset owners treat labor market forecasting as core to project planning. Strategic interventions are required to strengthen career pipelines through robust apprenticeships, improve retention, and actively recruit younger and more diverse workers.