The bums, or at least many of them, have been thrown out. So the political conversation turns to the question of what the Democrats will do now that they again share power with a Republican president. While it may be too soon to answer that question, we have seen enough to be alarmed about one tendency in particular: economic nationalism.

Many of the Democrats who recaptured seats held by Republicans have been described as moderates or social conservatives, who will be out of synch with House speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi. The better term is probably illiberal Democrats. Most of those who reclaimed Republican seats campaigned against free trade, globalisation and any sort of moderate immigration policy. That these Democrats won makes it likely that others will take up their reactionary call. Some of the newcomers may even be foolish enough to try to govern on the basis of their theory.