Populism

Question 1

What is Populism?

(Jan Werner Muller)

Answer 1

Populism is a moralistic imagination of politics with key elements as:
-The real people vs elite (anti-elitism)
-Antipluralism

Question 2

What is anti-elitism?

Answer 2

It sets “people” against elites who are deemed corrupt for in some other way morally inferior.

Question 3

What is “People” in Populism?

Answer 3

“People” is something fictional that doesn’t include everybody.
-Often pits the hardworking agaisn’t those who don’t really work (corrupt elites at the top, or lazy parasites at the bottom)
-Dominant ethnic or racial majority

Question 4

What is the defining feature of Populism?

Answer 4

The defining feature of Populism is anti-pluralism. Populist claim that they alone can represent the “real” people. Populists are not inherently anti-elitist, they have no problem with the principle of representation, so long as they are the representatives.

Question 5

What other characteristic is there of Anti-pluralism?

Answer 5

-Populists deem other political competitors are illegitimate, not really representative, rather corrupt and inmoral.

Question 6

What is anti-establisment?

Answer 6

Anti-establishment means that People from all sides of the political spectrum are anti-establishment because they believe that their interests have been overlooked by those who govern them. They also question the values that the ruling class seek to uphold and believe in another way of governance.

Opposition to elites and rich in power.

Question 7

Why anti-establisment is not key for populists?

Answer 7

Populists are perfectly content with the establishment when they are in power, the same with elitists.

Question 8

What is Populism?

(Pipa Norris)

Answer 8

A type of rethoric, antiestablisment impulse where a belief that poplitical power should reside not with economic, intellectual or political elites, but ith the people. In theory, should lead to popular democracy, but opens for authoritarianism.

Question 9

What is Populism?

(Francis Fukuyama)

Answer 9

-A regime that pursues policies thata re popular in the short run but unsustainable in the long run, usually social policies.
-It doesn’t include the whole population, rather a certain social ethnic group that is the “true” people.
-Populist leaders tend to develop a cult of personality around themselves.

Question 10

What is Disintermedation?

Answer 10

When Populists speak directly to people by rallies and social media.

Question 11

What are the three elements of the logic of Populism?

(By Muller)

Answer 11

-Colonization of the state
-Mass clientism and discriminatory legalism
-Repression of civil society

Question 12

What does the Colonization of the State means in Populism?

Answer 12

-Purging the bureaucracy
-Undermining the independence of the courts
-Intimidation and control of the media

Question 13

What is Mass Clientism?

Answer 13

Exchanging material and inmaterial favors for mass political support

Question 14

What is Discrinatory Legalism?

Answer 14

Is legally punishing enemies, and friends (allies) operate outside the law.

Question 15

What is the repress of civil society?

Answer 15

When they repress, intimidate and de-legitimize NGOs.

Question 16

What is Liberal Democracy?

Answer 16

Liberal democracy (separation of power, rights against the state) imposes limits on popular sovereignty. Had been continuously threatened by authoritarian regimes over the past century.

Question 17

How is a Modern Liberal Democracy?

Answer 17

Modern liberal democracies are built around power-sharing institutions like courts, federalism, legislatures, and a free media that serve as checks on executive power.

Question 18

What is an Iliberal Democracy?

Answer 18

A democracy lacking the elements of a liberal democracy.

Question 19

What are Post-materialist values?

Answer 19

Cultural difference. Progressive cosmopolitan social values such as (tolerance, diversity, sexual liberation, pro-environment, selfexpression — e.g., abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, etc.)

Question 20

What is the economic distress theory?

Answer 20

-Populists (including Trump supporters) are the “left behind” of global capitalism
-Rural, working class, with declining wages and growing economic insecurity
-Populists (incl. Trump) promise to protect jobs, bring back the good old days (“Make America Great Again”)

Question 21

What is the Cultural Backlash Theory?

(Pipa Norris)

Answer 21

Begins with the concept of a “silent revolution,” which he first documented 40 years ago: the gradual but steady spread of socially liberal ideas in Western democracies beginning during the early civil-rights era and gaining momentum through the 1960s and ’70s, as each successive generation, with increased education and urbanization, pushes further away from the traditional values that baby boomers and their parents were raised with.

-Less emphasis on material needs
-More emphasis on social values and identity issues

Question 22

What is Authoritarian Populism?

Answer 22

Is a cluster of values prioritizing collective security for the group at the expense of liberal autonomy for the individual

Question 23

Elements of Autoritarian Populism

Answer 23

-importance of security against risks of instability and disorder
-group conformity to preserve conventional traditions and guard “our” way of life
- need for loyal obedience toward strong leaders who protect the group and its customs