The current president of the United States, Donald Trump, has been under fire since the beginning of his time in office for a number of reasons. Trump has promised to Make American Great Again; but will he succeed? If you are thinking of researching the controversial president in your dissertation, here are 5 topics on Donald Trump, all with a political focus, to help get you started.
1. Trump’s presidency and the rise of identitarian politics.
This dissertation would look at the political implications of Trump’s presidency, focusing on the manner in which the identitarian movement is reshaping conservative politics in the United States. This dissertation would argue that Trump’s presidency should be seen as the first manifestation of a process of transformation that is taking place in U.S. politics, with more of an emphasis on maintaining cultural and social cohesion. In addition to this, this dissertation would look at the way in which the isolationist stance of the United States is relegating, at least to a certain extent, the primacy of economic considerations due to more peremptory concerns about the preservation of American identity in the age of globalisation.
2. The Trump presidency and the demise of centrist politics
This dissertation would examine the repercussions of the Trump presidency from the perspective of the erosion of the vital “centre” of American politics. This dissertation would argue that economic stagnation as well as the changes brought forth by the multicultural nature of American society are creating serious disjunctures within the U.S. political system. This entails, in practical terms, that the Democratic Party, which usually endorses a left of centre version of American liberalism, is increasingly tempted to adopt a more collectivist approach in socio-economic matters. At the same time, the Trump presidency indicates that the Republican Party may be willing to espouse a more isolationist attitude in economic and foreign policy matters.
3. The Trump presidency: the return to an isolationist foreign policy?
This dissertation would explore the idea that the coming to power of President Trump means a return to an isolationist foreign policy on the part of the United States. This assertion is backed up by the fact that the incumbent administration has called for an “America First” policy, which entails the partial abandonment of multilateral mechanisms and the onset of an aggressive stance in commercial matters. Furthermore, the idea of a return to isolationism stems from the reluctance on the part of the Trump administration to intervene in foreign conflicts in order to advance the cause of democracy, free markets and the rule of law in the wider world, unless vital American interests are threatened.
4. The influence of the Christian Evangelical movement on the coming to power of Donald Trump
This dissertation would examine the influence exerted by the Christian Evangelical movement in order to facilitate the coming to power of Donald Trump. This association was vital to mobilise the support of the segments of the conservative electorate that are willing to see a curtailment of differentiated socio-cultural rights for women, LGBT people and members of ethnic minorities, in order to re-establish a common American political personality capable of encompassing all members of society. This dissertation would also look at the way the issue of abortion became the most immediate influencer in the decision of this constituency to support Trump, instead of more mainstream conservative candidates.
5. The coming to power of Donald Trump and the reshaping of the American Conservative movement
This dissertation would analyse the way in which the coming to power of Donald Trump is indicative of the reformulation of the American conservative movement. Trump’s core supporters want to see the erosion of liberal values such as multiculturalism and government intervention at home and abroad. The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States shows that American Conservatism is being recalibrated according to an ideological stance that is neither liberal nor authoritarian, with a preference for the framing of the principles of limited government and individual liberties within the preservation of nationalist and religious traditions in order to maintain the internal coherence and stability of the state.
While none of Trump’s major economic proposals have become law as yet, these policies are highly significant for America and its relationship with other countries and have been subject to heavy scrutiny. We have provided 5 original topics on Trump’s economics that each tackle a gap in current knowledge and will allow you to make a significant contribution to current economic thinking.
6. The Case for Donald Trump’s Economic Nationalism.
This exploratory and theoretical study will look at Donald Trump’s espousal of economic nationalism as defined in his campaign speeches and policy pronouncements. Trump’s economic nationalism has gone against the widespread orthodoxy of globalisation and economic liberalism, receiving little support and much hostility from prominent economists and policy makers. Economic nationalism has a long history and differing interpretations. Therefore, it will be important to define in more precise terms what Donald Trump’s economic nationalism specifically comprises. This will be defined ideologically – in terms of pronouncements made in speeches and other documents – and also in terms of policy and legislation.
7. Donald Trump’s Criticism of NAFTA
This exploratory, empirical and theoretical study will examine Donald Trump’s criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement signed by the USA, Canada and Mexico in 1994. A theoretical critique of NAFTA by Donald Trump will be articulated by examining his campaign and policy statements, placing this within the context of existing economic criticisms of NAFTA: this includes the effect on GDP, the composition of GDP, the differential effect on wages, and welfare effects on different sectors. Policy prescriptions – actual and potential – which follow from Trump’s critique will also be articulated and outlined.
8. Donald Trump’s Analysis of the US-China relationship and what needs to be done
Donald Trump has criticised the US-China relationship in various campaign speeches and policy papers. Included in this criticism are allegations of currency manipulation and lopsided agreements in favour of China’s industrialisation and the movement of industries out of the US into China, to sell goods back to the US. These features are said to result in the impoverishment of low and middle income workers in particular and the reduction in (qualitatively) equivalent job opportunities to replace those that have been lost due to relocation. This research will examine to what extent Donald Trump’s analysis is reflected in economic statistics and supported by economic theories, both orthodox and heterodox.
9. An Analysis of the “Trump Effect” on the US Stock Market
Donald Trump has taken credit for a series of stock market records which have been achieved in 2017. This research will assess the extent to which President Trump is justified in making such claims. For instance, how does the “Trump Bump” compare to the “Obama Effect”? How have various market indices performed under the Trump Presidency, e.g. Dow Jones, S&P 500, NASDAQ, etc.? In what ways can these be reasonably attributed to the Presidency of Donald Trump? What policy measures can be demonstrated to have links to stock market performance? What are the other underlying factors behind the strong performance of the stock market recently?
10. Donald Trump’s critique of Globalisation
This exploratory and theoretical study will look at Donald Trump’s critique of globalisation in terms of his campaign rhetoric, campaign promises and actions while President of the United States of America. There exist various economic criticisms of globalisation, from the right and the left. This study will place Donald Trump’s critique within this wider range of critical perspectives, open to the possibility that Trump’s critique encompasses elements of both “right” and “left” critiques, in stark opposition to the mainstream of the Republican Party. Whether such a critique provides the basis of a coherent policy alternative to the globalisation of the past three decades and more will be examined.