What is Populism

Many people have no interest in considering the implications of populism. Ana

Unorganised democracy can soon become mob rule. Mob rule is open to manipulation by charismatic and power-hungry embryo dictators who promise freedom but deliver totalitarianism, under their own control instead of that of democratically chosen representatives.

Although I think quite a few have by now lost interest completely...

Good luck with that, ww, about as easy as knitting a jumper from a basket of wool that has been used as killing practice by a litter of kittens. Also, whatever you write will be torn apart by posters of one view or other (or both)

The Ancient Greeks know that democracy could be n easily snuffed out by the rich and powerful ably assisted by demagogues ruling the people in their own name I.e. People are ruled by seeming to rule.
Populism is mobilised through available democratic freedoms. It is public protest by millions of people (the demos) who feel annoyed, powerless and humiliated.
These humiliated people are beginning to strike back.

Nothing wrong with that you and I might think. However in practice when these humiliated people lash out they do so by supporting demagogues promising then their dignity.
Populism attracts people because it raises their expectations of betterment.
But there is a price to pay, - in exchange for promises of popular sovereignty, populism produces figures like Bonaparte, Mussolini and as we are now fully aware Trump.

OK - the following is largely taken from a conversation being carried out by various academics throughout the world, with some of my thoughts humbly thrown in

Populism and Democracy.

So we have established that populism is everywhere on the rise. The question then is why are these pedlars of populism proving so popular popular?
So our question is -is populism to be welcomed, harnessed and mainstreamed in support of more democracy
Or
Is populism on balance politically dangerous, a cultish recipe for damaging democracy by bringing to life what Orwell termed " smelly little orthodoxies that feed demography big business and bossy power"?

That's the question of the day that I will try to answer

"^I doubt if anyone thinks that. Ever.^" Not consciously. But that is what is being implied by the populist press and when someone is fed up and thinks they are being overworked, underpaid and not valued, then they look for a scapegoat. Universal happiness may be stretching it a bit, but it does seem to some that "the elite" are robbing them of the chance of health wealth and happiness.

The handiest place to put the blame is on those "in charge" who are trying to be in charge and to counter all the problems caused by global financial downturn, competitive emerging economies with workers who haven't the ability of refuse tiny wages, and world-wide distress at warring religious groups leading to vast numbers of refuges.

The truth is that many of the factors causing discontent are NOT under the control of the government of any particular country, so they DON't know what is the magic answer that will fix it all.

There seems to be an attitude amongst some in society that one persons' vote and opinion, is not so important and does not matter as much as another.

But it does!

One person, one vote. One opinion, one vote.

Looking at the recent posts it might be good to explore the relationship between populism and democracy. I will give this a look today and get back later, only a bit busy this morning and tired after very late night and fussy dog ALL NIGHT!!!!

Yes, DD populism is picking up on the atmosphere of dissatisfaction with "life" (much of which is to a large extent a part of a the human condition and very complicated and intricate global interaction and competition going back centuries) and simplifying it into "Your problems are all caused by the background of your leaders. Get rid of them and there will never be poverty, discrimination, recession, illness, unhappiness of any kind, ever again

I doubt if anyone thinks that. Ever.

I think one way to look at that is to ask what populist movement that has actually got into power has genuinely assisted the common people for a sustained length of time?

It doesnt have to be for a sustained period of time. It may have to be only enough time for things to change.

The changes both in the Republican Party and the Democratic party are already, and have already changed. And Trump is not even the President yet.

They shout to have their voices heard, but as soon as somebody asks what should be done about it, they don't have any answers.

It isnt their job too.
And if those in office dont have the answers, then they may be the wrong people for the job.

MaizieD - I dont happen to think that Corbyn is authoritarian. I think he is a bit the puppet on the string of others. And he definitely is not Nationalist.

momentum, as far as I know are not nationalist either.

Yes, it is a large minority, but even large minorities don't win in a FPTP system. That's why democracy has been called "tyranny by the majority" (Alexis de Tocqueville). Democracies always need protection for minorities, which is why I don't accept that 'democracy' is the be all and end all of a political system.

Theresa May isn't where she is from binary choice. She's where she is, because everybody else dropped out.

I suspect that in fifty years or so, historians will write chapters about our current era with the title "Democracy in Crisis". Who knows where it will all lead?

A minority of 660,000 claimants, which means probably two to three million people. Quite a large minority.

She knows what we don't need as well, whitewave, and it's not a binary choice, although that is what put her where she is.

I think Ana's right. Withholding 'bedroom tax' would result in quite swift eviction. It's only a minority affected by the bedroom tax, whereas the poll tax affected millions.

People being affected by any benefits cuts don't have much leverage.

Lack of power. We could withhold the poll tax, but people on benefits can't do so without unleashing all sorts of immediate retribution.

Oh yes the poll tax riots definitely count as a populist movement.
I remain puzzled that we haven't had a similar movement against the bedroom tax.

The poll tax riots would possibly count as a populist movement. Although they didn't directly lead to a change in government, they led to a change in policy.

I don't think it counts, because the Attlee government was voted into power by the established processes, although I don't think Churchill was very impressed by the decision of the ungrateful plebs.

Elegran, thanks for bringing a smile to my face when I read your post about what we do when dissatisfaction rules in our work places. Daphnedill and whitewave, many many thanks for your contributions to this very interesting discussion. I have read the thread, catching up as it has developed and I hope I haven't missed this but, what about the Labour government after WW2. Was that a populist movement.

Ah but it wouldn't necessarily be a meeting of 60 million it would be a meeting of one - the leader who knows exactly what the "people" need

That brought a smile to my face, Elegran. I see you've attended the same kind of meetings I have.

I wrote on another thread about a group, which is trying to reinstate some local NHS services. I'm not on the committee and I have much admiration for the people who do serve on it.

We have open meetings, which a few dozen people attend. Most of them come up with anecdotes about how the system isn't working. The person organising the group then asks whether anybody knows anything about budgets or how systems work, so that we can make our case to the relevant people. Nobody does know anything and they start to blame the government, the council or just about anybody else. Fortunately, there are two people who have worked for the NHS in management roles and they work hard to produce some kind of business plan - but it's never enough or quick enough!

I can't imagine what an 'open meeting' for 60 million people on a range of issues would be like.

Everyone who has ever had the misfortune to serve on a committee will recognise the syndrome. All complaints and whinges from the members are directed at the curent committee.

People are using the kitchen and not tidying up after themselves? Tell the committee, who post a notice on the kitchen wall reminding everyone that mugs should be washed, dried and put away after use, all rubbish put into the appropriate bin, and the biscuit tin replenished when empty.

People don't aim very well in the gents loo, the seats and floor get wet, it smells, the cleaner cleans early mornings so by evening it is revolting. The cleaner complains about the filthy members and threatens to leave. Complaints are made about the cleaner being surly. Tell the committee. A notice goes up reminding users that they should leave the loos in a condition they would like to find it. The cleaner gets a payrise.

Subscriptions have to be put up after several years at a standstill. Complaints are made to the committee that there must be wastage on unnecessary expenses, and surely would be kept down if users paid 20p into a tin each time they took a biscuit. Committee put a notice to this effect on the biscuit tin.

At the next AGM, a motion is put forward - and passed - by disatisfied members that since they are paying so much in subscriptions, they should not have to also shell out for a measly biscuit with their cuppa - and the quality of biscuits has gone down since this committee was voted in.

Another motion is put forward - and passed - expressing concern at the state of the kitchen and demanding that it be remodelled to be more modern and labour-saving, with a dishwasher to eliminate mug-washing and a new system of environmentally friendly recycling bins.

Kitchen users are insulted by the implication that they need to be lectured on hygeine and tidyness. Users of the gents loos are insulted at being lectured on bathroom etiquette. There are mutterings of "These people on the committee like to boss us about. Who do they think they are, telling us what to do? We need a change, with things run for the benefit of us ordinary members and not just to suit this clique"

A completely different committee is elected, to the relief of the outgoing ones. The new committee promises a fresh start, and a wonderful new organisation. Spending priorities will be changed, subscriptions lowered, ther constitution amended.

And so the whole circuit starts again.