The Illusion of Populist Revival: Biden's Post-Neoliberalism and the Failure to Woo the Working Class

Biden's Economic Agenda

President Joe Biden's economic agenda aimed to revive manufacturing, support labor unions, and combat poverty. However, despite the establishment of new factories like the Lordstown plant, his efforts failed to resonate with working-class voters, who shifted towards Trump in several regions.

The Post-Neoliberal Theory

The theory guiding Biden's policies held that Trump's rise resulted from voter backlash against "neoliberal" economic policies that impoverished the Rust Belt. Implementing post-neoliberal policies, such as tariffs and industrial subsidies, was believed to win back the working class.

The Irrelevance of Neoliberalism

However, evidence suggests that the decline of the working class cannot be solely attributed to neoliberalism. Other factors, such as social policy divisions and the role of incumbent parties, contributed to the shift away from Democrats.

Biden's Disastrous Presidency

Biden's post-neoliberal policies failed to improve his popularity, leading him to suffer one of the most unpopular Democratic presidencies since Jimmy Carter. His successor, Kamala Harris, also struggled to overcome his legacy.

Excuses and Defenses

Post-neoliberal advocates have offered excuses for the failures, citing Harris's pivot towards the center and the need for more time for policies to take effect. However, empirical evidence suggests that concrete benefits in areas like Lordstown have not translated into political support.

Inflation's Impact and Messaging Failure

Inflation played a significant role in undermining Biden's presidency, with post-neoliberal policymakers downplaying its impact. Additionally, critics argue that the administration failed to effectively communicate the significance of its policies.

Beyond Populism

The failure of post-neoliberalism as a populist strategy suggests that it is not a viable solution to the waning support for Democrats among working-class voters. Efforts to address the concerns of these voters must be more comprehensive and attentive to their complex needs.