In his new paper, John Austin delves into the global rise of nationalist and anti-democratic sentiments, particularly in economically declining industrial heartland communities in Europe and the United States. Based on the learnings from the Industrial Heartlands and Democracy Study Tour in November 2023, the paper outlines the reasons behind people’s dissatisfaction and anger. Factors such as economic decline, geographic inequality, social alienation, and political disillusionment emphasize the urgent need for leaders to understand the underlying emotions and experiences driving these anti-democratic sentiments.
How can we, economically and socially, revitalize former industrial heartland regions while promoting a green transition? This question sat at the heart of our Industrial Heartlands and Democracy Study Tour held in November 2023, which brought together officials and economic change-makers from the US Midwest for a transatlantic exchange with their European peers.
How can we categorise different types of market interventions to deal with inflation implemented over the last two years? What were their costs, benefits, and impacts? How can we prepare for future inflation shocks?
How can member states achieve their industrial policy and green investment ambitions while ensuring fiscal sustainability during the process of turning the European economic framework greener and cleaner?
How can progressive industrial strategies deliver cross-border synergies? How can social justice be hard-wired into their design? How can industrial policy be designed to align with countries’ broader economic strategies?
How can the progressive camp respond to the poly crisis? This was the central question addressed by top international politicians at the Progressive Governance Summit in Berlin.
