What is Populism

I would class Nicola Sturgeon as a populist. She has stirred feelings of grievance and found scapegoats. In her case it usually "Westminster" however many of her more fanatical supporters direct their attacks to the English, or people they call " Britnats" who voted NO in the 2014 referendum because they want to remain in the UK, Nationalism is a distortion of patriotism. This strategy has proced to be electorally successful, mainly because of the collapse of the Scottish Labour party coinciding with a drop in LibDem support because of the coalition. The SNP is also authoritarian. Some of their centralising control freakery causes serious concern.

I would not call Jeremy Corbyn a populist. He is very popular with a narrow group of left wingers, but unlikely ever to gain the level of support he would need to win an election.

PS. I don't see xenophobia as a definitve answer, but it is usually a characteristic of populism, which tends to be tribal and jingoistic.

Out now!

Most examples of South American populism are left-wing. It isn't necessarily right-wing, but most successful European populists have been.

Sorry, am going out, so can't write any more.

daphnedill Tue 17-Jan-17 19:25:09

"It seems we are living with the mentality of the lynch mobs, which is what populism is."

In that case why are Nicola Sturgeon and Corbyn classed as Populist Politicians?.

I keep coming back to trying to define who , what, where the words populist/populism are used. Most of the posts I consider repeatedly make it out to be a right wing issue only if I have followed this thread correctly.

I am not saying it is not an issue for far right /Nationalist parties, far from it but I find the 'collective' will to dismiss any reference to anybody, any group from the left of politics is somewhat disingenuous.

This comes about because of the perception by the individual as to what they consider populist/populism but it appears to me that , as I said earlier, the definitive answer is wider than simply harking on about the populist/populism of far right groups and seeing xenophobia/racism as the definitive answer.

I googled the same as you, Ankers.

The results were mostly about lynch mobs, or lynch mobs marching. Nothing about marching that 'turned into' lynch mobs. And the common theme of the motivation for lynch mobs was populist, racism. So I don't think that answers me at all.

But it does kind of answer your question, which populism do you know of that turned into lynch mobs?, in that racism, a very populist trait, seems to have been the prime mover.

Very eloquent. Thank you, Elegran. You've saved me a job.

The historical lynch mobs of the US generally consisted of white settlers/farmers hunting down and beating up or hanging someone (often black) who was rumoured to have committed some crime - (sleeping with a white woman was particularly abhorred). They didn't wait for a trial, they wanted instant retribution on someone against whom unexamined feelings of anger had been stirred up.

Populism can be used by simplistic activists to stir up feelings of resentment against a section of the population as a scapegoat for the troubles of another section. When that happens, the result is lynch mob mentality - mindless retaliation without any evidence or proof of the "crime". Krystalnacht, for instance? That is where it leads, if we are not alert to the dangers.

Now your turn to answer properly.

When I googled "marching turns into lynch mobs" there were far too many to list.
Take your pick.

I expect they just meant to give the lad a kicking, Mair..

No answer from you yet, either, Ankers

No answers from MaizieD and dd. As I suspected, what Iam64 wrote is not right.

"Lynch mobs were caused by populism - high levels of emotion without rational thought"

Do you consider 'populism' was to blame for this lynch mob?

www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/2261894.ten_jailed_for_hammer_attack/

Don't even ask, MaizieD. Nobody is that ignorant. Lynch mobs were caused by populism - high levels of emotion without rational thought, as I'm sure ankers knows.

Marching often turns into that, as you well know.

And while we are at it, which populism do you know of that turned into lynch mobs?

Having posted two quite contradictory statements in the same breath, so to speak, perhaps you could answer your own question for us, Ankers

^ I will never be reconciled.^

How sad for you.

Marching is nothing like a lynch mob, as well you know.

Marching often turns into that, as you well know.

And while we are at it, which populism do you know of that turned into lynch mobs?

Stop it with the faux innocence Ankers, we've heard it all before. The democrats will be joined by many others who share fear that Trump will not be a positive president for their country. Marching is nothing like a lynch mob, as well you know.

dd absolutely. The debate will never cease. I will never be reconciled.

It seems we are living with the mentality of the lynch mobs, which is what populism is.

But it is the democrats who are going to march?

I have to say I'm somewhat baffled about who these 'people on the left' are.

whitewave I, at least, would rather stick to the title of the thread. It seems we are living with the mentality of the lynch mobs, which is what populism is.

It really is amazing how some people would rather turn anything into their favourite hobby horse. I sometimes think they want to pick a fight for the sake of it. Ah well!

I have become resigned - if not reconciled - to it, because there's very little I can do. However, until I have my freedom of speech curtailed, I'm damned if I'll sit back and see/listen to people spouting rubbish.

ankers my comment had nothing to do with the referendum. This thread is about populism

dd I am beginning to be resigned as I've said on another thread that there is a definite lurch to the right. I just hope it doesn't last too long.

At last.
It feels like a whole year goes by before people on the left accept what has already happened 12 months previously.

By that token, only 5 months more to go before the referendum result gets accepted! yay

His supporters are counting on some positive change in lifestyle. But as you say, can he deliver? My US based friends hope he can reform the medical plan and wages by end January.