The political ideas offered by the left and liberals have been progressively emptied of content. This has made various far-right strategies, which promise security, more attractive to voters in the developed world. Some rightwing leaders have been savvy enough to take up those parts of the leftist agenda that are popular when wrapped in different packaging.
Though some mainstream left-of-centre parties call themselves “socialist”, others “labour”, none in government now promotes socialism nor gives pride of place to labour. The mainstream candidates for the French presidency from the left — former prime minister Manuel Valls and former economy minster Emmanuel Macron — are keener to support business growth than increase the power of workers.
By contrast, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front stresses social justice, a more progressive tax system and state intervention in threatened industries. Donald Trump, the US president-elect, has in the past called for a one-off wealth tax on those with a net worth of more than $10m, and earlier this month reiterated a campaign pledge to impose a 35 per cent tariff on US companies that import products from their factories abroad.