Trump didn't start America's decay, argues decade-old essays
A 2014 Foreign Affairs issue titled 'See America: Land of Decay & Dysfunction' features a crumbling Capitol Building on its cover, arguing that US institutional decay and populist revolt predate Donald Trump's presidency. The essays, written during Barack Obama's second term, describe a political system where checks and balances have become rigid and unrepresentative, favoring elites and interest groups over the majority. The author notes that elites speak of liberty but settle for privilege. The discovery of this old issue underscores that current political dysfunction has deep roots.
Key facts
- Foreign Affairs issue dated September/October 2014 titled 'See America: Land of Decay & Dysfunction'
- Cover painting shows a crumbling US Capitol Building
- Essays argue institutional decay and populist revolt predate Trump
- Published during Barack Obama's second term
- Describes US political system as rigid and unrepresentative
- Claims system favors elites and interest groups over majority
- Author states elites 'speak the language of liberty but are perfectly happy to settle for privilege'
- Found while cleaning a basement
Entities
Institutions
- Foreign Affairs
Locations
- United States