“Globalisation isn’t working” was the post-Brexit conclusion of Financial Times columnist, Philip Stephens. The shock vote has left UK liberals and progressives reeling, and wiped billions from the value of companies around the world. Another fear is that this may be the sharpest crystallisation yet of political leadership from a populist, hard-right, nationalism. This shift also appears to be gripping sections of the USA, major European nations, India, and many more countries.
The majority of Brexit voters came from two social classes: large sections of working class people, and a disappointed middle class. Both feel that globalisation, epitomised by EU membership, has not worked for them. Since the 2008 crash, both have seen their incomes stagnate or fall, and both have felt an increasing precariousness and insecurity from the casualization of work in the UK. Each of these factors has been exacerbated by the unequal UK government’s austerity measures that started in 2010. While public services have been withdrawn, the luxury goods market exploded, banks have been bailed out with public money and astronomical executive bonuses continue to be paid. In addition, international companies with massive operations in the UK have contributed almost no tax. Companies like Sports Direct have paid below the minimum wage, and workers on exploitative “zero hours contracts” were in such fear of losing their jobs that they were scared to take time off to care for a sick child or their own ill health.
Unscrupulous politicians have exploited understandable public ire to blame “the European Union”, “immigrants”, “the establishment”, “experts”, and “human rights”. But the economic and social causes of their anger and outrage point elsewhere.
