In ancient times — pre-2012, say — American presidential elections were often reasoned, somber affairs. The 2016 campaign will not be remembered that way. Combative candidates have channeled voters' anger and fear into a new strain of hypernationalism.

In this, our first episode of Special Relationship, we examine how fear of terrorism is shaping the campaign — and whether what is happening in the U.S. is really so different from the politics of other countries. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy