The Western alliance among the United States of America, Canada, and various European countries of NATO has been a key part of international relations since World War II. As the world has changed, so too have the challenges that it faces, with an increasingly diverse range of threats confronting the alliance. One of the most unlikely threats to the Western alliance comes from the rise of populism in both Europe and the United States.
What is Populism?
Populism is an ideological movement that has grown in response to the migration crisis, globalization, and other issues that mount challenges to the traditional power structures of Western countries. It involves the appeal to the “common people” rather than big business or politicos to enact change. Its rhetoric is often nationalist in nature and it emphasizes the idea of an “us versus them” attitude towards foreigners and other perceived threats to domestic security.
Where is Populism Gaining Momentum?
Populism has been gathering force around the world in recent years, with populist leaders gaining more power and influence in both Europe and the United States. In Europe, populists have come to power in countries like Italy, Hungary, and Poland and they have been a rising influence in countries like Austria and Germany, which experienced populist gains in elections in 2017 and 2018. In the United States, Donald Trump’s election was a major victory for populism. He has championed an “America first” approach to foreign policy and has expressed his dislike for NATO, particularly in regards to how much the US contributes to the alliance.
How is Populism a Threat to the Western Alliance?
The rise of populism poses a potential threat to the strength of the Western alliance. While the nationalist rhetoric that is often associated with populism may appeal to people looking for simple solutions to complex problems, it can damage the alliance in several key ways.
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Divisive Rhetoric: Populist leaders often emphasize the difference between “us” and “them”, a type of rhetoric that can be highly divisive and damaging to the idea of a cooperative alliance amongst Western countries.
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Disdain for International Cooperation: Populists often have a disdain for international cooperation in the form of multilateral organizations such as the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations. As NATO is a major pillar of the Western alliance, a disregard for it can weaken the concept of collective security among allied countries, plus could see the US withdrawing from NATO or reduce the amount of funding that it gives to the organization.
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Détente with Autocrats: Populism also has a tendency of promoting détente with autocratic states, such as Putin’s Russia. This can be seen in the US’s withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the Paris Climate Accord. By potentially weakening the Western alliance and its commitment to the “rule of law”, this could allow these autocratic states to gain in influence and power.
The Western alliance is an important part of international politics and it has played an integral role in ensuring peace, security, and stability within the world. However, the rise of right-wing populism has introduced an unexpected threat to the alliance, one that could profoundly affect its future. Populism and its associated rhetoric, disdain for international cooperation, and potential for détente with autocratic states could all weaken the strength of this essential alliance. If the Western alliance is to continue to exist, it will thus require a concerted effort from both the individual countries within it and from the alliance as a whole.
