Populism Flashcards
What is Populism?
(Jan Werner Muller)
Populism is a moralistic imagination of politics with key elements as:
-The real people vs elite (anti-elitism)
-Antipluralism
What is anti-elitism?
It sets “people” against elites who are deemed corrupt for in some other way morally inferior.
What is “People” in Populism?
“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
What is the defining feature of Populism?
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.
What other characteristic is there of Anti-pluralism?
-Populists deem other political competitors are illegitimate, not really representative, rather corrupt and inmoral.
What is anti-establisment?
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.
Why anti-establisment is not key for populists?
Populists are perfectly content with the establishment when they are in power, the same with elitists.
What is Populism?
(Pipa Norris)
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.
What is Populism?
(Francis Fukuyama)
-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.
What is Disintermedation?
When Populists speak directly to people by rallies and social media.
What are the three elements of the logic of Populism?
(By Muller)
-Colonization of the state
-Mass clientism and discriminatory legalism
-Repression of civil society
What does the Colonization of the State means in Populism?
-Purging the bureaucracy
-Undermining the independence of the courts
-Intimidation and control of the media
What is Mass Clientism?
Exchanging material and inmaterial favors for mass political support
What is Discrinatory Legalism?
Is legally punishing enemies, and friends (allies) operate outside the law.
What is the repress of civil society?
When they repress, intimidate and de-legitimize NGOs.
What is Liberal Democracy?
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.
How is a Modern Liberal Democracy?
Modern liberal democracies are built around power-sharing institutions like courts, federalism, legislatures, and a free media that serve as checks on executive power.
What is an Iliberal Democracy?
A democracy lacking the elements of a liberal democracy.
What are Post-materialist values?
Cultural difference. Progressive cosmopolitan social values such as (tolerance, diversity, sexual liberation, pro-environment, selfexpression — e.g., abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, etc.)
What is the economic distress theory?
-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”)
What is the Cultural Backlash Theory?
(Pipa Norris)
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
What is Authoritarian Populism?
Is a cluster of values prioritizing collective security for the group at the expense of liberal autonomy for the individual
Elements of Autoritarian Populism
-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
