Reality check

The art of the possible will temper the impact of a Donald Trump presidency, writes Roger King.

The British have become accustomed to the idea of “manifesto mandates”―the broad expectation that governments will govern in line with promises made during the electoral campaign. American politics offers a less clear-cut position. Presidents introduce policies for which they have campaigned, but their chances of implementing them are mixed because the separation of powers can leave the successful passage of their decisions dependent on Congress.

So what might the UK expect from the forthcoming presidency of Donald Trump in the light of such constraints? And what are the implications for higher education globally?