Garčević Publishes Op-Ed on Trump “Southern Strategy”

Ambassador Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, published the latest in his series Remaker op-eds on July 21, 2020. 

The article, titled Will Southern Strategy Help Trump This Time?, discusses the so-called “Southern strategy” and whether it will work in the upcoming presidential elections. Against that backdrop, it examines how the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd’s death, followed by anti-racist protests throughout the U.S., have changed the social and political dynamics in the country.

Garčević argues that the “Southern strategy” — appealing to white voters by focusing on crucial issues — has worked very well for the Trump and the Republican Party so far, but this time Trump has gone too far. He points out that most white Americans remain moderate to conservative on immigration and affirmative action. Many also don’t like symbols of slavery and think that the President is forcing voters to take sides on racism.

The op-ed also comments on problems the American economy is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It juxtaposes President Trump’s lasting support to traditional, fossil fuel-based industries with the growing interest of Americans in climate-change and the green industry.

The full op-ed can be read here.

During his diplomatic career, Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He had been a Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as a Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about him here.