jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin
@jcaustin.bsky.social
92 followers 41 following 210 posts
Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Institute & Visiting Fellow Academy of International Affairs-NRW. Leading international work to strengthen economies, our alliances, our democracies, bringing new opportunity to neglected regions.
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 2d
Viktor Orban's playbook for dismantling democracy & kleptocracy it enables is a fast path to poverty and an economic dead-end. I saw it first hand in Hungary. Read via @politico.eu what is really going on in Hungary. @aia-nrw.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The Orbán-MAGA playbook will fail to deliver
Very few following in Hungary’s footsteps are willing to recognize the long-term outcomes of a deteriorating economy, crumbling basic services and a soured public.
www.politico.eu
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 2d
If there are free elections next year in Hungary, Viktor Orban is cooked. Polling shows public blames him for deteriorating health care (67 percent), education (63 percent) and the bad economy (57 percent). Read in @politico.eu from my work @aia-nrw.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The Orbán-MAGA playbook will fail to deliver
Very few following in Hungary’s footsteps are willing to recognize the long-term outcomes of a deteriorating economy, crumbling basic services and a soured public.
www.politico.eu
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 3d
In the US & Europe we only hear how "successful" Orban's democracy-ending playbook is. Not enough about how it inevitably leads to decay of living standards and public disaffection. Thanks @bironagyandras.bsky.social & policy solutions for finding the facts!
bironagyandras.bsky.social
András Bíró-Nagy @bironagyandras.bsky.social · 5d
Our research at Policy Solutions was quoted in @politico.eu!

@jcaustin.bsky.social’s piece highlights our results on how Hungarians link #Orbán’s rule to inequality, declining health care, education, corruption, and a weakening economy.

Read more: www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The Orbán-MAGA playbook will fail to deliver
Very few following in Hungary’s footsteps are willing to recognize the long-term outcomes of a deteriorating economy, crumbling basic services and a soured public.
www.politico.eu
2 3
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 3d
We keep hearing President Trump & other authoritarians are following Hungary's Viktor Orban's successful playbook for dismantling democracy. It also works to destroy people's living standards & public throws you out of office. Happening now in Hungary. US next? www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The Orbán-MAGA playbook will fail to deliver
Very few following in Hungary’s footsteps are willing to recognize the long-term outcomes of a deteriorating economy, crumbling basic services and a soured public.
www.politico.eu
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 5d
European media and democracy watchdogs everywhere need to keep a close eye on Hungary's Viktor Orban. Hungarians are eager to turn him out of office. The only way he stays in power is if he cheats (again). Trump is in the same boat. Read my piece in @politico.eu lnkd.in/g5keNZyn
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 5d
Viktor Orban's playbook for dismantling democracy has now seen Hungarian public turn against him. It's wrecked the economy & dismantled basic services like health care and education. Read my piece in @politico.eu. Trump is next! www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The Orbán-MAGA playbook will fail to deliver
Very few following in Hungary’s footsteps are willing to recognize the long-term outcomes of a deteriorating economy, crumbling basic services and a soured public.
www.politico.eu
1
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 14d
For years we have been helping leaders in the Great Lakes region, capitalize on our amazing water assets & build out our #Blueeconomy. So nice to see new building blocks like the Great Lakes Waterfront Train becoming a reality! postindustrial.com/stories/us-c...
US & Canada close in on creating Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
Explore US and Canada tourism with the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connecting vibrant communities across borders.
postindustrial.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 15d
Economic analysis that shows that greenways, biking, hiking, and water trails raise property values nearby & drive billions in new economic & community development along the route. That's why this US-Canada Great Lakes Trail is such a big deal! postindustrial.com/stories/us-c...
US & Canada close in on creating Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
Explore US and Canada tourism with the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connecting vibrant communities across borders.
postindustrial.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 15d
Both the US & Europe would be well served to keep supporting the programs that provide flexible resources for local leadership to craft community development strategies based on particular local assets and priorities. Read my latest via @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
oecdcogito.blog/2025/09/16/r...
Rural renewal: Lessons from the Loire and beyond - Cogito COGITO
How can France’s Loire Valley, long known for castles and wine, offer lessons for rural renewal today? Communities are turning heritage, agriculture, and local leadership into engines of social and ec...
oecdcogito.blog
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 16d
Little noticed but a huge economic development driver for the bi-national Great Lakes is the nearing completion of an intertwined Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Just out in @postindustrial.bsky.social postindustrial.com/stories/us-c...
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 16d
In rural communities across countries disconnection & exclusion run deep, symbolic of what it means to be “left behind”. But across America & Europe local leaders are successfully working to regenerate hollowed out communities. Read my latest @oecd-ocde.bsky.social oecdcogito.blog/2025/09/16/r...
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 17d
Economic change has seen rural & small town regions across all our countries emptied out But no place is too "small" to find new growth and opportunity. Inspiring examples in my new work from @oecd-ocde.bsky.social @aia-nrw.bsky.social @gettysburg2024.bsky.social
Rural renewal: Lessons from the Loire and beyond - Cogito COGITO
How can France’s Loire Valley, long known for castles and wine, offer lessons for rural renewal today? Communities are turning heritage, agriculture, and local leadership into engines of social and ec...
oecdcogito.blog
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 21d
With an idealogically driven "greenlash" driving many national leaders away from the needed clean energy transformation, it is up to state & local leaders to carry the ball and banner forward. Read how in my new report from @dpzberlin.bsky.social www.industrial-heartlands.com/sheboygan-to...
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 22d
Leaders in extractive industry regions like my own West Virginia & Ohio, the Rhenish region & Cotbus area in Germany, face a similar choice. Promise their people to bring back the past, or lead them into a brighter, economic future. Just out @dpzberlin.bsky.social & @gettysburg2024.bsky.social
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 23d
State & local leaders across democracies are stepping up to solve the real problems of today--like climate change & citizen disaffection. Find out how they do it in new work out from @dpzberlin.bsky.social, @gettysburg2024.bsky.social & @AIA-NRW www.industrial-heartlands.com/sheboygan-to...
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 26d
When I brought leaders from industrial belt of the US to similar regions in Germany, we found local leaders facing similar choices! Which way should communities turn? Read via @dpzberlin.bsky.social @gettysburg2024.bsky.social @aia-nrw.bsky.social
www.industrial-heartlands.com/sheboygan-to...
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 26d
As some of our nations leaders pull back from tackling climate change, local leaders are filling the gap. New work from our transatlantic partnership with @dpzberlin.bsky.social @aia-nrw.bsky.social @gettysburgcollege.bsky.social

www.industrial-heartlands.com/sheboygan-to...
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · 26d
State & local leaders across our democracies can step up & stay the course to develop the new clean energy economy and the good-paying jobs that come with it. Read new report sharing lessons from US & Germany. @aia-nrw.bsky.social @dpzberlin.bsky.social
www.industrial-heartlands.com/sheboygan-to...
Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus, US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads - Industrial Heartlands
Midwestern Leaders Study Tour 2025 Sheboygan to Charleroi, Coal River Valley to Cottbus – US-German Heartland Change-makers Share Lessons at Today’s Carbon Crossroads Executive Summary At a time when ...
www.industrial-heartlands.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 22
Read the new work by our @gettysburgcollege.bsky.social international students, around what they need to see in their communities, if they are to stay, not flee! Future health of our democracies is at stake!. From @aia-nrw.bsky.social &EI online.visual-paradigm.com/share/book/r...
Regions Matter Report Final
This ebook is created with Visual Paradigm Online, a flipbook maker to design ebooks online. Convert PDFs to ebook or design from scratch. No download, no waiting, no learning. Open and start now.
online.visual-paradigm.com
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 20
Had a chance to contribute to this excellent @financialtimes.com.Turns out manufacturing is thriving in Michigan & our industrial #heartlands. Is high-tech, high-value and Trump's tariffs aren't necessarily helping! Get the story here: fhttps://www.ft.com/video/c9f757af-ffea-4188-a40f-69e589a9bfd1
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 19
As our US manufacturing heartland goes, so goes our nation. Watch this important new @financialtimes.com documentary about what is really going on with manufacturing, tariffs and trade, and our future. Sharing my work with @brookings.edu & @aia-nrw.bsky.social www.ft.com/video/c9f757...
Trump, tariffs and the battle for blue-collar America | FT Film
From tariffs to talent and tech, the FT looks at the future of manufacturing in its US heartland. How will President Donald Trump's dream of bringing back blue-collar jobs meet the reality of modern m...
www.ft.com
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 18
What is the past, present and future of US manufacturing? And what's the impact trade and tariff policies on places like my home in Michigan? That's the focus on this great new documentary I got to play a role in just out from @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/video/c9f757...
www.ft.com
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 18
"With Youth So Goes a Region" our new report out from EI and @aia-nrw.bsky.social It reflects the reality that where today's young people choose to build their lives and futures, so goes the economic and social vitality of our countries. Read what they have to say lnkd.in/g6iYc5w8.
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jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 15
Important new report just published from Eisenhower Institute & @aia-nrw.bsky.social Young leaders from across democracies spell out what is important to them in building communities and countries where we all thrive! online.visual-paradigm.com/share/book/r...
Regions Matter Report Final
This ebook is created with Visual Paradigm Online, a flipbook maker to design ebooks online. Convert PDFs to ebook or design from scratch. No download, no waiting, no learning. Open and start now.
online.visual-paradigm.com
jcaustin.bsky.social
John Austin @jcaustin.bsky.social · Aug 14
Regions of our democracies that are in economic decline, where young have fled, are fertile ground for anti-democratic political movements. Hear what young people themselves say they need to make places they choose to stay. @EI and @aia-nrw.bsky.social online.visual-paradigm.com/de/share/boo...
Regions Matter Report Final
This ebook is created with Visual Paradigm Online, a flipbook maker to design ebooks online. Convert PDFs to ebook or design from scratch. No download, no waiting, no learning. Open and start now.
online.visual-paradigm.com