Philippe Legrain
Foreign Policy
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Philippe:
The Coronavirus Is Killing Westerners. Immigrants Are Saving Them.
Foreign-born doctors and entrepreneurs are at the forefront of fighting the pandemic and resuscitating economies, but nativist politicians still want to keep them out. → Read More
Populism After Trump by Philippe Legrain
While more than 72 million Americans cast their votes for Donald Trump, over five million more chose Joe Biden – a 3.4 percentage-point difference. The implication is clear: right-wing populism is not dead, but it can be defeated. → Read More
Britain’s Brexit Breakdown by Philippe Legrain
With both hardline Brexiteers and diehard Remainers having rejected the only available deal for the United Kingdom to exit the European Union, the pragmatic center is being squeezed out of British politics. As each side ups the ante, Brexit is now an all-or-nothing fight to the death among absolutists. → Read More
Is Immigrant-Bashing a Vote Winner for the Left? by Philippe Legrain
With Europe's traditional voter blocs now scattered like never before, some center-left parties have been tempted to siphon off working-class votes from the right by adopting an anti-immigrant agenda. But aping far-right populists is a mistake for progressives, on both moral and tactical grounds. → Read More
The EU’s China Conundrum by Philippe Legrain
The European Union is increasingly caught between the United States and China. Until it finds a common strategic purpose, the bloc will struggle to advance its interests and is increasingly likely to fall victim to great-power plays. → Read More
Build the Wall—To Keep Out the BMWs and Benzes
Trump’s threatened trade war against European cars would hurt America most. → Read More
Best of 2018: Britain’s best Brexit bet? The Jersey option
In Christmas week, CapX is republishing some of its favourite articles of the year. This piece first appeared on February 12. The UK government spent last year urging the EU27 to start discussing their post-Brexit trading relationship. But now that the negotiations are finally due to move on to trade, ministers cannot decide what they … → Read More
The new Brexit dividing line is between pragmatists and players
Opponents to May's deal have one thing in common: a willingness to play roulette with the British economy → Read More
Auf Wiedersehen, and Good Riddance by Philippe Legrain
Although German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision not to seek reelection in the next federal election has come as a surprise, it was long overdue. Merkel's "steady hand on the tiller" has guided the German and European ship of state directly into the populists' line of fire. → Read More
How to convince sceptics of the value of immigration?
Welcome to our first Open Essay, a new format in which a writer develops an argument in three installments over the course of a full week, in conversation with our readers. Today we publish the first part. Readers can leave comments here. Part One Openness to immigration is a good thing, as I hope you agree. → Read More
Overcoming the Politics of Pessimism by Philippe Legrain
Inspiring and reassuring voters is a political challenge, not a technocratic one. But it also requires ambitious policy solutions to help governments increase the economic pie faster and share it more fairly. → Read More
The Unbearable Complacency of Angela Merkel
Germany's economy is far more vulnerable than it seems, but its government is completely uninterested in doing anything about it. → Read More
Why China Will Win the Trade War
Trump thinks he has a strong hand. In fact, Washington is far more vulnerable than Beijing. → Read More
Why China Will Win the Trade War
Trump thinks he has a strong hand. In fact, Washington is far more vulnerable than Beijing. → Read More
Britain's immigration system isn't fit for purpose
Many politicians favour tighter immigration controls out of expediency rather than conviction → Read More
Theresa May's choices are limited by the EU's fixed menu
The UK wants à la carte Brexit, but the EU is offering a set menu → Read More
Britain's best Brexit bet? The Jersey option
The government was desperate to move on to trade negotiations, but still doesn't know what sort of deal it wants → Read More
The Twilight Of Angela Merkel
As Germany heads and possibly heads to another federal election next year, a hole has emerged at the heart of Europe. → Read More
The Twilight of Angela Merkel by Philippe Legrain
While Angela Merkel’s departure may not be imminent, her power is leaching away. With Germany set to turn further inward as it struggles to form a new government – and possibly heads to another federal election next year – a hole has emerged at the heart of Europe, and France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, will not be able to fill it alone. → Read More
Macron’s Challenge For Europe
In an ambitious, visionary speech at the Sorbonne, French President Emmanuel Macron presented his plan for countering the tide of xenophobic nationalism in → Read More