The discussion of Brexit has focused on globalization, immigration, and working class anger. What has been missing from the discussion is the political decision to invoke austerity and services like the National Health Service on which the working class rely.
Similarly, in the U.S. discussions of the role of trade deals in decimating the middle class has omitted the feebleness of any measures to mitigate the negative effects of those trade deals. Trade adjustment assistance was always supposed to be a part of these trade deals, but have generally been referred to as “feeble” at best. The level and need for trade adjustment assistance is a political decision; it need not have been feeble.
Similarly, in the U.S. discussions of the role of trade deals in decimating the middle class has omitted the feebleness of any measures to mitigate the negative effects of those trade deals. Trade adjustment assistance was always supposed to be a part of these trade deals, but have generally been referred to as “feeble” at best. The level and need for trade adjustment assistance is a political decision; it need not have been feeble.