The political earthquakes of 2016 have shaken the complacent preconceptions of the liberal establishment. But the signs were there. Here are ten stories that tried to reckon with our new era of populist backlash.

The dark history of Donald Trump’s rightwing revolt – Timothy Shenk

The Republican intellectual establishment tried to block Trump – but his message of cultural and racial resentment has deep roots in the American right

How technology disrupted the truth – Katharine Viner

Social media has swallowed the news – threatening the funding of public-interest reporting and ushering in an era when everyone has their own facts. But the consequences go far beyond journalism

How the education gap is tearing politics apart – David Runciman

In the year of Trump and Brexit, education has become the greatest divide of all – splitting voters into two increasingly hostile camps. But don’t assume this is simply a clash between the ignorant and the enlightened

The ruthlessly effective rebranding of Europe’s new far right – Sasha Polakow-Suransky

Across the continent, rightwing populist parties have seized control of the political conversation. How have they done it? By stealing the language, causes and voters of the traditional left

How the ‘Great Paradox’ of American politics holds the secret to Trump’s success – Arlie Hochschild

In the heartland of the American right, people harmed by polluting industries have instead come to hate the government whose environmental regulations protect them. Now they’re voting for Donald Trump

The cult of the expert – and how it collapsed – Sebastian Mallaby

Led by a class of omnipotent central bankers, experts have gained extraordinary political power. Will a populist backlash shatter their technocratic dream?

How remain failed: the inside story of a doomed campaign – Rafael Behr

They promised it would be an easy victory. But they had no idea what was about to hit them

Revenge of the tabloids – Andy Beckett

Rocked by the phone-hacking scandal and haemorrhaging readers, the rightwing tabloids seemed to be yesterday’s news. But now, in Theresa May’s Brexit Britain, they look more powerful than ever

Welcome to the age of Trump – Jonathan Freedland

Donald Trump’s rise reveals a growing attraction to political demagogues – and points to a wider crisis of democracy

Us v Them: the birth of populism – John B Judis

It’s not about left or right: populism is a style of politics that pits ‘the people’ against ‘the establishment’. Its rise is a warning sign that the status quo is failing