Populism Flashcards
1
Q
Characteristics of populists
A
- Interests
- attract and maintain popular support
- gain power and influence
- Perspectives
- populists oppose:
- the ‘establishment
- immigration
- progressive social change
- Effect on Political Stability
- disregard for
- democratic principles
- international institutions
- liberal values
2
Q
Populism feature - anti-globalist
A
- opposite of cosmopolitanism
- populists argue that elite politicians & academics supported global interconnectedness, free trade & open borders
- → undermine cultural identity of state and dominant ethnic groups
3
Q
Populism feature - ‘people’ vs the ‘elites’
A
- ‘pure people’ v ‘corrupt elite’
- moral framing
- populists frame themselves as anti-elite (even after they gain power themselves)
4
Q
Populism feature - hostile to established institutions
A
- extension of anti-elite sentiment
- populists argue that everyday people disadvantaged & disenfranchised by:
- economic liberalism
- representative democracy
5
Q
Cause - economic insecurity
A
- 1970s Liberalisation & Free Trade
- globalization: ↑wealth of significant part of pop
- But, globalization → eco inequality for many
- Manufacturing relocated ↓income countries
- Income of average American X increased real terms since 1970s
- American men X formal education = loss of wages in real terms
- Globalization – Knock on Effects
- Eco shock in one state felt immediately in others
- Global financial crisis 2008-2009
- Eurozone debt crisis 2010s
- COVID-19 recession 2020-2022
- Volatility in the West
- Those left behind by globalization disillusioned
- Blame established political system/elites
6
Q
Cause - economic insecurity (Eurozone Crisis)
A
- Eurozone Crisis 2010s
- Unemployment ↑ to 20% in some parts of Eur
- wealthier EU states reluctant to ‘bail out’ poorer states
- austerity measures imposed by European Commission, European Central Bank & IMF
- →reduction in govt spending
- ‘Elites’ Blamed
- Eur working class felt betrayed by their politicians who willingly transferred pwr from national govts to international organisations such as EU and IMF
- associated with liberal democratic world order
- demolish living standards of working people
- Populists portrayed institutions as controlled by shadowy elites unconcerned with plight of the poor
7
Q
Cause - movement of people
A
- Increased Movement of People
- people movement has long been a feature of the global economy
- developments past few decades changed nature of migration and its political responses
- skilled workers relocating in search better prospects
- populists have blamed ↓jobs for locals on migration
- (in fact job losses due to manufacturing moving to cheaper options offshore)
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers
- 2012-2022 no. of people forcibly displaced more than doubled
- b/c unrest in Latin America, Middle East, Asia & Africa
- → ↑asylum seeker applications in US & Eur
- Populists Exploit Refugee Crisis
- ↑migration → volatile social/political climate
- populists link migration w/ terrorism/security
- Fears about national identity
- populists raise fears that ↑migration will → rapid changes in national identity
- populists claim migrants threaten:
- economic prosperity
- national security/identity
8
Q
Cause - erosion of cultural values
A
- Perceived Erosion of Cultural Values
- liberal democratic principles
- individualism
- equality
- human rights
- fairness and representation for minority groups
- populists argue these principles weaken/threaten traditional
cultural values of dominant ethnic group
- 1980s and 1990s Cultural Consensus
- post-Cold War western political parties from centre (right & left)
- agreed on economic policy
- greater integration b/w states
- multi-ethnic societies
- fewer restrictions on trade
- Disillusioned voters - Unrepresented
- many voters in west disillusioned
- mainstream/centre parties abandoned them
- traditional conservative attitudes were no longer advocated in political mainstream
- gender
- race
- environment
