The Political Science department led a second teach-in and Q&A last Thursday discussing the global effects of Trump’s presidency.
Political science professors discussed how Trump’s policies, including tariff impositions and strained international relationships, have led to economic and institutional repercussions, impacting both the U.S. and its allies. Recording was not allowed at this event to maintain a space where people felt comfortable contributing to the conversation.
Despite the rainy weather, the event, located in the law school, had about 50 attendees. Pizza and beverages were offered to everyone.
“As I was talking and looking around it seemed like a full house on a rainy day so I was pleasantly surprised, I think we all were,” Dr. Monti Datta said.
The teach-in began with an explanation of NATO and how it should ideally uphold democracy. Now, in an ever-changing political climate, the U.S.’s commitment to NATO is in question.
To provide the audience with further perspective, there was a discussion of the Middle East case and Trump’s plans for Gaza. The discussion highlighted how the administration’s authoritarian strategies can travel across the world. If there is a loss of democracy, there is no space for democratic opposition to combat the rising issues in the Middle East.
The presentation also addressed the broader implications of Trump’s stance on trade, like the economic effects of tariffs and the U.S.’s role in global supply chains. Political science professors highlighted how these actions disrupted international agreements and prompted retaliatory measures, leading to higher prices and reduced competition in the market.
Political science students came out to learn about America from a global perspective, and the event saw a high turnout.
“This campus is not really politically active,” sophomore Jessica Espinoza-Flores said. “It's not proactive, it's more reactive, so talking about this and addressing issues that are happening right now is really important.”
The Q&A reflected confusion on how the U.S. would move forward with the new changes from the Trump administration and their long-term effects. Professors offered insight on how to stay informed and have a political discourse that is grounded in facts.
“I know that there’s a whole spectrum of political beliefs on campus so for all those people, it's important to remain aware of what’s going on and to read unbiased sources, or as unbiased as possible,” professor Maia Linask said.
With ongoing challenges to the U.S.’s role in global affairs, the conversation highlighted a need for continued dialogue and critical examination of political actions to ensure that future decisions are made with facts and democratic values in mind.
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Contact news writer Jessica Khan at jessica.khan@richmond.edu
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