These days, it seems there is much talk about Steve Bannon and how his views are impacting and affecting the United States and global affairs. There has been some uncertainty from many people as to whether those same views are influencing those in Europe. With the wave of populism on the rise and Bannon’s attempts to capitalize on it, it may seem as if there is a great deal of power in his words. Or maybe not. So let’s ask the question: why doesn’t Steve Bannon matter in Europe?
What is Steve Bannon’s Background?
Before we try to answer that question, it’s important to first look at who Steve Bannon is and where he comes from. Steve Bannon is an American political strategist who served as CEO of the Trump Campaign during the 2016 US presidential election. He is best known for his work as the former executive chairman of the news organization Breitbart News. He is considered by many to be a figurehead of the so-called alt-right, a loosely connected amalgamation of right-wing nationalists and other fringe right-wing activists. During the Trump campaign, Bannon was credited with helping Trump capitalize on populist sentiment across the country.
Another important factor in understanding Bannon is his relationship with the Mercer family. The Mercers are a powerful family in conservative American politics. Bannon has had a close relationship with Robert Mercer, a billionaire quantitative hedge fund manager who is one of the main financiers of the Trump presidential campaign.
What are Bannon’s Views on Europe?
Over the past year, Bannon has made his thoughts on Europe clear. He has called it the “greatest project since the fall of the Roman Empire” and has praised geopolitical movements attempting to build nationalist isolationist policies within Europe, particularly focusing on immigration policies.
By focusing on the impact of immigration on Europe and pushing an aggressively isolationist agenda, Bannon has also pushed for a withdrawal from the European Union, as well as a unification of all European nations as part of what he calls the “Nationalist International.”
Why Doesn’t Bannon Matter in Europe?
Despite his seemingly powerful rhetoric, Bannon has had very little success in Europe. The key reason why Bannon does not matter in Europe is because he simply does not have the following and support needed to become a major political player in the continent. When compared to the power and influence of European politicians like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, Bannon is a dropped penny in the ocean.
In addition, Bannon’s views on Europe have often been met with resistance as most European countries do not welcome the idea of nationalist policies. His support for far-right politicians has also been met with widespread condemnation, as these leaders have a contentious history with racism and hate speech.
Economic Factors
When it comes to the economy, Bannon’s views on Europe have been decidedly mixed. While on one hand, he has proposed protectionist trade policies in order to keep jobs safe, he has also called for further tax harmonization between countries, something that is divided amongst policymakers. He has also been met with criticism for being unclear about certain economic and regulatory issues, such as the European Central Bank’s policy of quantitative easing and the EU’s austerity measures.
Social and Political Factors
When it comes to social and political factors, Bannon has failed to gain much traction in Europe as his views on immigration and multiculturalism are starkly different from most European attitudes. He has consistently spoken out against immigration, multiculturalism, and civil rights issues, something that is generally seen as out of step with the majority of European countries.
Further, his support for far-right politicians has been met with much skepticism, as these politicians are often seen as having extremist views that are not in harmony with the values of European countries.
Steve Bannon does not matter in Europe. His nationalist and protectionist rhetoric have failed to gain traction with the public or with policymakers. He also has failed to gain influence with the investment of the Mercer family, as most European countries have tended to be more socially and economically progressive than what Bannon proposed. There is still much to be seen if his views will begin to find favor in any region and time will tell if his nationalist populism will gain traction with the populace.
