Politics

Feb 27, 2026 Harold James

Rather than indulging in anti-immigration culture wars and tarring Britain as a case study in "civilizational erasure," Donald Trump and his followers’ would do well to examine how Britain struggled with the loss of its own global preeminence. No other country’s recent past better represents America’s possible future.

PRINCETON – When issuing their warnings about Western “civilizational erasure,” US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance often point to the United Kingdom, and especially London, to make their case. But while the UK does offer a cautionary tale, it is not the one MAGA has in mind. Rather than indulging in anti-immigration culture wars, Trump and his followers’ time would be better spent examining how Britain struggled with the loss of global preeminence. No other country’s recent past offers a clearer preview of America’s potential future.