What is Populism

Ordinary compass or a moral one, Cherrytree?

bells I would hope that if I ever do venture in to the jungle, I would have the intelligence to take a compass although being able to use it is another matter

The problem at the moment is that governments don't have time to address these issues. There is far too much great change in the world, and not enough people involved in seeing the bigger picture.
When experts are told their opinions do not matter, it's natural that populism will win. It makes ordinary people feel more important, even if they do not know what to think.

bell don't shut up its good to talk

eloethan yes!! Thats what I'm arguing that because of the way so many people have been affected by societal and economic changes with no benefit become susceptible to the populist message.

That's why governments must address these issues, and unless they do this will grow.

I might shut up now. Chips are cooked anyway.

Cherrytree59 I would prefer an intelligent friend who had been educated in the use of a compass.

bell yes nothing wrong with the Tories, although it sticks in my throat long may they live -especially in the face of populism, but I'm not talking about them.

Isn't populism more about pandering to what is popular at a particular point in time? At the moment there is certainly an anti-establishment mood but I tend to think it is fairly superficial. The nationalistic mood is, though, very prevalent. With authoritarianism I think it depends on what it relates to - many people complain about speed cameras, parking regulations, etc., but at the same time profess a belief in more "law and order", harsher sentences, etc..

Anti-establishment views have not always been popular, and often, when it comes down to it, people are far more comfortable with a status quo that they suspect is very unfair than risk change. They are just miffed at the moment (and understandably so) because wages are so low and costs are so high. If the majority of people felt very secure and comfortable, I doubt there would be many anti-establishment feelings.

gracegran yes I do think we could say there are new divides, which have happened almost without us noticing we are on a big catch-up I think.

I take it that you mean daphnedill adult population
But who measures the 'below average intelligence'?
Who sets the bar?
How is it measured?

In the event of being lost in the jungle I would prefer the company of an 'uneducated' friend who knew how to survive in that enviroment.
Than a so called intelliigent friend.

Pardon?

Sorry. I was trying to encourage you to participate and not be put off that ww and I seemed to be dominating the first few posts. I won't bother in future.

It would actually be quite refreshing to have a sensible discussion with opposing views without the usual sniping.

I like to think of this government, well, at least Theresa, as right wing with commonsense.

pogs yes I think you are right, it isn't and shouldn't always be attached to right wing politics, it is unfortunate that I have named all right wingers, but I am sure you can think of a left wing movement that you could describe as populist.

The point inam trying to make is that populism has nothing to do with our mainstream political parties, so they are not Tory, Liberal or Labour and have very few of their characteristics apart from seeking election. But the mainstream are pluralist as far more democratic. But then .ook at the problem UKIP has trying to elect another leader and how Farage is still identified as the go to for opinions. Likewise look at Trump and his difficulties with the Republican Party, and the way the tea party has remained outside the mainstream.

Oh dear, that old 'do tell us what your views are, Ana' - heard it all before.

Not big or clever!

I don't think it is always attributed to right-wing politics. It's not the case in countries such as Greece or Spain. However, in the UK, the left wing isn't very well organised, is fragmented and, crucially, our mainstream media tends to be right wing, so the public doesn't read much about it. Outsiders see the UK as a naturally conservative (with a small 'c' society), so maybe a lurch to the left would be too much.

Surely we all know what populism is. Whether it's a good or a bad thing, has to depend on the circumstances, and what the populism involves.

If populism could have had a chance in Syria, then that would be good.

Right wing populism in the Western world is bad.

This is fascinating Whitewave. Do put forward your thoughts on this Ana; as daphne says it makes for a more interesting discussion

I shall have to think about it - it's beautifully deep. I was just about to read an article titled "The new fault lines" all about 'divided Britain' they sight the division between 'closed vs open', 'city vs country', 'graduates vs non-graduates', owners vs renters, whites vs non-whites. I wonder if this will feed into your hypothesis. The graduates v non-graduates would work with your thoughts about not benefiting from the knowledge society but it could be wider than that.

I openly admit to being unsure what Populism actually means, call me ignorant and I will not challenge you..

It does however seem to me the words Populist/Populism are quickly becoming yet another flipping way of trying to disparage people who oppose your views rather like calling people Racist/Xenophobic. The word Populist is being bandied about willy nilly because it suits those who use it to not have to clarify or explain why they use the word, it has become a form of clap trap speak.

If I look at this definition for example from Wikipedia I could think of Corbyn, The Unions , would I be mistaken?

'Populism is a political style of action that mobilizes a large alienated element of population against a government seen as controlled by an out-of-touch closed elite that acts on behalf of its own interests'.

The underlying ideology of the Populists can be left, right, or middle. Its goal is to unite the uncorrupt and the unsophisticated (the 'little man') against the corrupt dominant elites (usually the orthodox politicians) and their camp followers (usually the rich and the intellectuals). It is guided by the belief that political and social goals are best achieved by the direct actions of the masses. Although it comes into being where mainstream political institutions fail to deliver, there is no identifiable economic or social set of conditions that give rise to it, and it is not confined to any particular social class.[1]

Why is it always attributed to right wing politics?

I genuinely believe it is one word that has no finite definition or purpose and I would never use it personally as I find it's use lazy , tedious and not the smartest way to put a case forward during debate/discussion.

As I say I accept that's just my view but I am interested in reading posts from more academic brains on the subject than mine.

I think there are two main reasons for support for populist parties. The first is relatively easy to describe but I must confess I am still grappling with the second.
So the first I think is economic inequality.

Here we are largely talking about the less secure low waged, unskilled, long term unemployed, single parents, those reliant on welfare and poorer whites living in inner cities with a high level of immigrant communities.

These groups have experienced profound changes in work and society, especially in our post industrial economy.
So they've witnessed the rise of the knowledge economy, technological automation and the collapse of manufacturing. Unions have been emasculated, welfare shrinking and austerity as been experienced almost solely by these groups.

The result is that these groups resent the political classes who they see as supporting the wealthy elite.

They are therefore wide open and susceptible to the anti-establishment, nationalist,xenophobic scare mongering, exploited by the populist movements.

The only surprise is that we we so unprepared for this phenomenon.

Not at all, Ana. It's boring being in agreement. What are your views?

I think it's happening now, because Western society is under threat from globalisation. The world, as a whole, is changing and the usual response to that is to batten down the hatches. If you look back through history, social change and economic hardship have often been a catalyst for isolationism.

I'll leave you to agree with each other then!

Yes for sure.

* typo (omitted word) populist viewpoint