Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

What past elections can teach us about fear politics

Season 2016 Episode 260 | 9m 32s

Fear of terrorism has been a recurring theme of the current presidential race -- from grave callbacks to November’s Paris attacks to promises of bans on Muslim immigrants -- but the tactic is nothing new in American politics. Judy Woodruff talks to Stephen Walt of Harvard University and Beverly Gage of Yale University for some historical perspective on fear in electoral politics.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Trump defends Iran war and threatens annihilation at UN General Assembly
News Wrap: Grand jury declines to bring charges in death of Nolan Wells
Harris joins El-Sayed on campaign trail as Democrats focus on Michigan Senate race
What the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger settlement means for Hollywood
Researchers explore new uses for abortion-related drugs
2 years after the storm, graphic novel shares stories of Hurricane Helene survivors
Ari Emanuel and Amna Nawaz discuss finding the next big thing on 'Settle In'
September 22, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
These copper vests are helping injured penguins heal faster
Press pool declines to cover Trump in protest of his ban on news outlets