the challenge of populism

Question 1

definition of populism as a form

Answer 1

some only believe its a particular form of voter mobilization
pop. style talks about we, and the people, and we should…
Way of speech, makes ppl enthusiastic abt a political goal
Rhetorical style- referring to “the people” as a rhetorical style

Question 2

defs of populism as content

Answer 2

antagonistic relationship between the ppl and elites
restoration of popular sovereignity (if necessary at the expense of constitutional arrangements); give power back to the ordinary ppl
referring to the ppl as if they’re all one block, w no diffs in interests and opinons (left wing- workers, right wing- dom. ethnic group)
pop. is a thin centered ideology, says politics should be an expression of the general will of the ppl

Question 3

the two pillar model

Answer 3

liberal pillar
ultimate authority is individual rights
expressed by the law
fear related to dem.: majority suppresses minority
democratic pillar
ult. auth. is the people (the demos), that’s where power is concentrated
expressed by dem. decision making
fear related to liberalism: the law “blocks” what ppl want; eg right to bear arms prob

in this model, pop. is not a threat to dem., it’s the opposite- population is the restoration of the dem. pillar in times of overly pragmatic rights based politics

Question 4

critique of the two pillar model

Answer 4

is popular sovereignty about the majority or the inclusion of all ppl? (prob is that the minority is ignored)
are individual rights hampering democ, or are they an essential part of it?

Question 5

three pillar model (w populism as a threat)

Answer 5

liberal logic
individual
there is only individual diversity
diversity-in-itself

democratic logic
who is it for/representative of? “empty space”
we must make collective decisions
unified-in-diversity

populist logic
the people
the people are one
unity-in-itself
the REAL people are the dutch who are not elite, not muslim, etc. Exclusive in this way

populism here rejects idea that there is deliberation between various groups, bc the people are one.
denies that individual rights and freedoms are essential for democ.
legitamizes the exclusion of others (as enemies instead of adversaries)

Question 6

argument that pop. is not totalitarianism

Answer 6

if its incorporated into democracy, it can moderate it. its not tot. because pop still “respects the diffrences between the political domain and others such as economy, law, educ, and culture”