Pardee School Faculty Analyze Implications of Trump’s Second Term
Pardee School of Global Studies faculty members recently offered their insights on the implications of Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency. Their analysis, featured in two in-depth BU Today articles, covered both domestic governance challenges and evolving foreign policy dynamics.
Timothy Longman, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Professor of International Relations and Political Science, leveraged his extensive expertise in African human rights and democratization to highlight concerns about potential authoritarian trends. Drawing from his research on Rwanda’s political transformation, he provided a unique perspective on the current political climate.
“What sets modern liberal democracies apart from authoritarian regimes is their commitment not only to the majority’s will but also to safeguarding minority rights,” Longman explained.
He cautioned that while authoritarian policies might garner popular support, they often foster “a climate of fear that affects even supporters.”
Paul Webster Hare, Master Lecturer; Interim Director, Center for Latin American Studies, and a former British ambassador to Cuba, explored unprecedented elements of Trump’s foreign policy, especially regarding ties with Saudi Arabia and Elon Musk. Hare expressed concern about the intersection of presidential business interests with foreign relations, remarking,
“Never has a US president’s own business interests been so closely linked to a foreign government.”
Hare outlined specific challenges, including constitutional questions around Trump’s dealings with Saudi Arabia and Elon Musk’s evolving role in diplomacy.
“The United States is entering a new era of personalized foreign policy,” Hare warned, emphasizing that figures like Putin, bin Salman, and Musk have achieved “privileged positions of influence with the president.”
For a complete analysis from both professors, refer to the full BU Today articles: