A former Australian Prime Minister warns that when mainstream conservative parties adopt the hardline rhetoric of populists, they inadvertently legitimize the issue. This strategy backfires because voters energized by that topic will ultimately choose the more authentic, original populist party.
Christie’s frequent use of contained settings like country houses or trains is key to her appeal. These "bounded" environments not only make every character a suspect but also allow for a definitive resolution where order is fully restored, a contrast to modern thrillers where threats are merely contained.
The Supreme Court's ruling requires refunding over $100 billion in illegally collected tariffs to companies. If processed quickly, this massive cash injection into the economy could act as a pre-midterm stimulus, ironically providing a potential political benefit to the Trump administration despite its legal defeat.
Countries like Britain that quickly negotiated lower tariffs are now disadvantaged. They face a new, temporary 15% global tariff, higher than their deal rate. Conversely, countries that held out may now be better off. This dynamic punishes allies who engaged in early, good-faith negotiations.
Australia's traditional Liberal-National conservative coalition faces an existential crisis from two directions. The populist One Nation party is siphoning off its rural base, while climate-focused "teal" independents are capturing its affluent, urban strongholds. This dual erosion makes a unifying strategy nearly impossible.