Michael R. Strain, Columnist

Big Business Can’t Rely on Republicans Anymore

Populism is shattering a deep-rooted political relationship, and Democrats are hostile, too. It’s time to find friends in both parties.

November 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM UTC

By Michael R. Strain

Michael R. Strain is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is director of economic policy studies and Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the author of “The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It).”

What’s going on in there?
Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

The marriage between big business and the Republican Party has long been one of the strongest in American politics. But that relationship is on the rocks, and the rift is growing wider and wider.

The conflict puts business leaders in the agonizing position of being caught between newly hostile Republicans and traditionally antagonistic Democrats. The correct response is not to commit to either party, but to find allies in both. Importantly, executives need to engage in a campaign of persuasion about the importance of free markets and of policy that creates a productive business climate.