Why did Americans support Trump? Economic powerlessness | Robert Shiller

To those with average and low incomes, his simple slogan 'make America great again' sounded like 'make you great again'

The US president-elect, Donald Trump, campaigned in part on a proposal to cut taxes dramatically for those with high incomes, a group whose members often have elite educations as well. And yet his most enthusiastic support tended to come from those with average and stagnating incomes and low levels of education. What gives?

Trump's victory clearly appears to stem from a sense of economic powerlessness, or a fear of losing power, among his supporters. To them, his simple slogan, "make America great again," sounds like "make you great again". Economic power will be given to the multitudes, without taking anything away from the already successful.

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