In this second of a two-part series of columns discussing Donald Trump and Republicans’ efforts to dismantle Social Security, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan argues that despite public reassurances, Republican initiatives—especially those supported by figures like Elon Musk—are methodically weakening Social Security, threatening a vital, efficient, and historically successful program that prevents elder poverty and supports millions of Americans. Professor Buchanan contends that these efforts are based on false narratives, including misleading comparisons to Ponzi schemes and deceptive efficiency claims, all aimed at undermining public confidence in the system—particularly among younger generations—in order to justify harmful privatization schemes that would ultimately benefit Wall Street at the expense of working Americans.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan addresses the Trump administration’s attacks on Social Security, particularly through cutting the budget to force the system to deteriorate, and he debunks the false claim—recently amplified by Elon Musk—that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. Professor Buchanan argues that Social Security is a sustainable, pay-as-you-go system that functions similarly to private banking and retirement savings, and that calling it a Ponzi scheme reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both financial systems and economic sustainability.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to avert a government shutdown by supporting a controversial continuing resolution (CR), despite backlash from Democrats and anti-Trump groups who saw it as a capitulation. Professor Buchanan argues that while Schumer is not typically a progressive hero, he made the right decision to prevent lasting harm, as a shutdown would have handed excessive power to Trump and Musk. Professor Buchanan calls upon Democrats to stop infighting so that they can effectively resist the rise of authoritarianism.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the potential end of the Musk-Trump administration and reasons for hope during their governance, examining historical parallels, current political dynamics, and public reaction to their policies. Professor Buchanan argues that despite the current pessimistic climate, there are several reasons for optimism, including an unstable political coalition, Trump’s cult of personality that may not survive his absence, historical precedents of positive change like the Civil Rights movement, and the administration’s self-undermining behavior through indefensible policies and poor argumentation.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the current state of American democracy under Trump’s leadership and contemplates both immediate and long-term prospects for democratic restoration. Professor Buchanan argues that while the current situation is dire, there are reasons for hope, including Trump’s limited lifespan, the likely power struggle among his potential successors, and historical precedents of democratic renewal following periods of authoritarianism.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the disconnect between Donald Trump’s campaign promises, particularly regarding consumer prices, and the subsequent actions and attitudes of his administration and supporters following his second election win. Professor Buchanan argues that Trump’s voters are not misled by economic grievances but are rather motivated by deeper ideological convictions, particularly concerning race and identity, leading them to support policies and rhetoric aligned with their beliefs despite the apparent abandonment of campaign promises.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the disregard for legal and constitutional norms demonstrated by Donald Trump and supported by figures like Senator Lindsey Graham, as well as the co-opting of religious and patriotic ideals by the political right for partisan gain. Professor Buchanan argues that the defense of Trump’s actions undermines democratic principles and shared cultural values, and he highlights the disturbing alignment of some religious leaders with Trump’s divisive rhetoric despite their religion’s traditional teachings of compassion and unity.
In this second of a series of columns, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan explores whether Americans concerned about Donald Trump’s potential return to office can realistically relocate to other countries, drawing from the his personal experience as an expatriate and broader analysis of international migration patterns. Professor Buchanan argues that large-scale emigration from the U.S. is virtually impossible due to logistical constraints in host countries (even immigrant-friendly ones like Canada), noting that even temporary surges in immigration can overwhelm countries’ housing, healthcare, and education systems while potentially triggering xenophobic political backlash.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the practical realities and challenges of Americans considering emigration in response to concerning political developments, particularly following recent election results. Professor Buchanan, who himself emigrated, argues that while the desire to leave may be legitimate, actually relocating abroad is a realistic option for very few people due to the expensive and complex immigration process, increasingly restrictive immigration policies worldwide (even in traditionally welcoming countries like Canada), and practical limitations in destination countries’ abilities to absorb large numbers of immigrants.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses a constitutional interpretation regarding the requirements for winning the U.S. presidency through the Electoral College, specifically addressing scenarios where some state electors are not appointed. Following up on an argument he has made with Professors Michael Dorf and Laurence Tribe, Professor Buchanan argues that, contrary to popular belief (the “House-decides error”), under the Twelfth Amendment, a candidate does not need 270 electoral votes to win the presidency but only a majority of actually appointed electors. Professor Buchanan points out this means that successfully blocking some state electors, as Donald Trump likely will try to do, would not automatically force the decision to the House of Representatives unless there is an actual tie or a third-party candidate prevents either major candidate from achieving a majority of appointed electors.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan critiques J.D. Vance’s candidacy, highlighting the increasing negativity he brings to the Republican Party and his role in worsening the political culture in the U.S. Professor Buchanan argues that Vance embodies cruelty and harmful politics, particularly through his promotion of racist and sexist narratives, while undermining legitimate policy discussions.
In this two-part column, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the poor state of political discourse in the United States. Professor Buchanan argues that Donald Trump and J.D. Vance frequently make incoherent or illogical statements that are not held to proper scrutiny, while Kamala Harris is unfairly criticized for making actual arguments and evolving her views based on new information or political realities.
In this two-part column, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses accusations of “flip-flopping” against Vice President Kamala Harris and examines the broader issue of how policy changes are perceived in political discourse. Professor Buchanan argues that Harris’s policy adjustments reflect evolving strategies rather than changes in core values, and he criticizes the media for mischaracterizing such adaptations as inconsistency, while also pointing out the double standard applied to Democrats compared to Republicans on this issue.
In this second part of a two-part column, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan examines recent Republican advice for Donald Trump to focus on “policy" rather than grievances in his presidential campaign. Professor Buchanan expands on the arguments he introduced in Part One, providing examples of Trump’s policy-free rhetoric and explaining why Republicans don’t actually want substantive policy discussions, as their specific policy positions are largely unpopular with voters.
In this two-part column, University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses recent Republican advice for Donald Trump to focus on policy rather than “culture wars” in his presidential campaign. Professor Buchanan argues that this advice is misguided because Republicans lack popular policy positions, and their call for Trump to “talk policy” actually means inflaming voters’ emotions on select issues like immigration and the economy without offering substantive solutions.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the recent political developments in the United States, specifically Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and Kamala Harris’s emergence as the likely Democratic nominee. Professor Buchanan argues that while this change has brought optimism to those opposing Trump, it also reveals flaws in arguments about democracy and party processes, criticizes both Republican and Democratic responses to the situation, and calls for a more nuanced view of Biden’s decision to step down.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan critiques J.D. Vance’s performance as a vice-presidential candidate and his controversial statements about parenthood, family, and voting rights. Professor Buchanan argues that Vance’s views on parenthood and societal investment are deeply flawed, emphasizing that all individuals, regardless of parental status, have a stake in society’s future and that Vance's narrow understanding of human interdependence renders him unfit for leadership.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the aftermath of a recent shooting incident at a Donald Trump rally, exploring the various narratives, conspiracy theories, and political implications that have emerged. Professor Buchanan argues that the deeply polarized nature of current American politics makes it nearly impossible for people to agree on a shared understanding of events, potentially exacerbating political divisions and undermining the democratic process.
University of Toronto visiting law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the recent shooting at a Trump rally and its implications for American politics and society. Professor Buchanan argues that the incident represents three interconnected tragedies: the personal loss of life and injury, the failure of the political system to prevent such violence, and the inability of the public to reach a consensus on what actually happened due to the current polarized and conspiratorial political climate.
Law professor and economist Neil H. Buchanan discusses the debate within the Democratic Party about whether President Joe Biden should continue as the nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Professor Buchanan argues that those calling for an open discussion about potentially replacing Biden are being unfairly attacked and silenced by Biden supporters and contends that having this conversation is crucial for the party’s chances of defeating Donald Trump and preserving American democracy.
