Trump's Australia: How Trumpism Changed Australia and the Shocking Consequences for Us of a Second Term, by Bruce Wolpe

 

An expert on American politics entertains the possibility of a second Trump term.

What would happen to Australia should Donald Trump win a second term as president of the United States? Such a situation seems an impossibility, yet the same was said for Trump’s 2016 election win. As author and political adviser Bruce Wolpe states, US politics is so volatile and divisive, anything is possible.

Trump’s Australia suggests a triumphant second Trump term could embolden extreme right-wing elements at home, but ultimately pulls back from this argument. Instead, Wolpe asserts that Australia's democratic institutions—such as mandatory voting, the independence of the Australian Electoral Commission—ensure our politics doesn't become polarised. A further bulwark against radicalism is the prominence of the national broadcaster, the ABC, ensuring a trusted outlet for quality news reporting.

For the most part, Trump’s Australia provides a recap of Trump's time in office and his attitude to policy areas such as China, North Korea, climate, health, race, free trade and abortion rights. It features extensive interviews with former government officials, insiders and experts, giving the text a breadth of interesting opinion. In essence, Wolpe (a former adviser to the Gillard government) contrasts US and Australian democracy, and finds our system to be much more resilient.

This book is a stark reminder of how catastrophic a second Trump term would be,  questioning how Australia would respond on a range of policy fronts. Politicians and engaged citizens should take note.

Trump's Australia: How Trumpism Changed Australia and the Shocking Consequences for Us of a Second Term, by Bruce Wolpe. Allen & Unwin. $34.99 Release date 20th June, 2023.

Review by Chris Saliba

This review first appeared at Books + Publishing

MAY23