I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.
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Why do national populists attack their countries old and respected institutions?
(94 Posts)I’ve been looking at a couple of these individuals and trying to work out why they are so intent on wresting control away from various institutes.
Netanyahu is a case in point.
Netanyahu has been indicted for fraud, bribery and breach of trust in a number of scandals involving wealthy individuals, and waits to stand criminal trial. Netanyahu refused to resign, and is doing what all populists do by using his entitled position and claiming to be the victim.
Just this week Netanyahu has overseen a law that will take the power away from the judges who previously have stood in judgement over whether the Israeli’s governments actions are deemed reasonable. Remember, that Israel does not have a written constitution, nor a second chamber to oversee its parliament and put a stop to harmful actions. The judges are the only ones able to do this.
So Israel drifts towards an evermore authoritarian state, so beloved by the populist.
Next the national populist with potentially the most power - Trump.
Unlike Netanyahu, Trump is unable to attack the judges directly nor other institutions because of the written constitution, but there is no doubt that he fully intends to get out of all and multiple indictments. To do so he has to win the election, which he says he will win even from prison.
This is not so mad as it seems, as he stands as good a chance as ever to win the presidency, and then all he has to do is pardon himself and bingo! He is then free to court the 6th January insurrectionists and risk a civil war in the USA.
This will put the world on a very rocky road indeed particularly Trumps intention to withdraw from Ukraine.
And lastly to our own home grown populists. Dear Johnson has thankfully fallen by the wayside - not without a fight claiming victimhood etc as populist do.
However, the populist that many had hoped had gone away is once again trying to claim the limelight by attacking the U.K. banks. Interestingly Farage made a speech in 2016 when rallying for Trump that included a promise that he would attack “elitist” institutions like banks such institutions. His plan seems to be coming to fruition.
I read somewhere that he is as mad as a box of frogs😄😄 not sure if that is right.
60 seems a reasonable age, because I do think that where politics is concerned there is virtue in experience. I’m never happy to see very young leaders as I think they largely lack some qualities that you acquire as you age.
Haha, well that’s not so good then is it? Maybe it’s a necessary qualification for running for the presidency. Trump is also mad, probably as mad as a box of frogs too.
I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system.
I agree that some age is an advantage because of experience gained through life, but the question is when is old too old?
And conversely, when is young too young?
Perhaps retirement at 70? Mind you that would empty the HoL 😄😄😄.
Well maybe those who are PMs, President etc should go at 70 but those pontificating over legislation older?
Listening this morning, RS was saying that historically, our ex-PMs and ministers always went back to the benches and as a result there was a lot of heavyweight knowledge, but now ex-PMs etc just bugger off.
It’s interesting maddyone, two of the greatest British PMs were the youngest ever and the oldest ever, with William Pitt younger and William Gladstone. I don’t think there is a right age, it’s about the person.
Well certainly 30+ seems a tad too young to me and I look a bit askance at someone in their early 40s - they need to serve a longer apprenticeship 🙂🙂.
I’m sure however my children would disagree with me and certainly my grandchildren who at 18 and 22 know everything about everything!!
Maybe retirement, like judges, at 75?
Probably still empty the HofC and definitely empty the HofL.
Perhaps better not get me started on the HofL. I definitely don’t agree with it. Second chamber yes, unelected no.
Casdon
It’s interesting maddyone, two of the greatest British PMs were the youngest ever and the oldest ever, with William Pitt younger and William Gladstone. I don’t think there is a right age, it’s about the person.
Yes that’s absolutely correct. But still feel age is an issue in American presidents.
maddyone
Haha, well that’s not so good then is it? Maybe it’s a necessary qualification for running for the presidency. Trump is also mad, probably as mad as a box of frogs too.
I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system.
I’m glad I don’t live in America, despite all the failings of the British system
When you watch Trump, listen to his rhetoric, see his audience in their MAGA hats and T shirts (some with outrageous slogans) - our own current government (of which I am very critical) seem like an oasis of civilisation by comparison.
I’m still impressed with Biden when I hear him speak. And he does seem to be trying to push through his political agenda as quickly as possible: maybe that’s an age thing. What I don’t understand in America is that the democrats try to help the poorer members of society who then support people like Trump. Probably because politicians like him persuade them that being helped in some way takes away their ability to be aspirational?
maddyone
I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.
I’m confused. Didn’t he die in a plane crash?
MSM never show the umpt clips of Biden slipping upstairs, making baby's cry. Smelling hair. Falling Sleep in meetings. Walking the wrong way. Failing off stationary bicycle etc etc
I like the guy. I just think he's too old
I ·
Someone in their mid to late 50 s would be good.
Of course if Trump gets in next time, I suspect that the least of both Americas and the world’s worries will be his age.
eazybee
Nigel Farage is not 'attacking elitist banks', he is defending himself against untrue and unjust accusations, and in so doing has exposed malpractice of which many were unaware.
You must be joking.
merlotgran
maddyone
I agree Whitewave that America’s tendency to elect old people is an issue.
I heard yesterday that JFK’s son is considering putting himself up for election. Not sure how old he is, but I imagine about 60.I’m confused. Didn’t he die in a plane crash?
Yes I think that’s right -so is he a nephew - he is certainly a relative
Grantanow
eazybee
Nigel Farage is not 'attacking elitist banks', he is defending himself against untrue and unjust accusations, and in so doing has exposed malpractice of which many were unaware.
You must be joking.
Oh dear, good for Mr Farage, he even decried what they'd done to Millar. Bet she wouldn't have been quite as gracious.
That’s because she can see him for what he is…
MayBee70
That’s because she can see him for what he is…
So you agree that someone, however much you dislike their political views, should be denied the means to carry out daily life. How lovely some are on here.
Grantanow
eazybee
Nigel Farage is not 'attacking elitist banks', he is defending himself against untrue and unjust accusations, and in so doing has exposed malpractice of which many were unaware.
You must be joking.
just unbelievable!
Freya5
MayBee70
That’s because she can see him for what he is…
So you agree that someone, however much you dislike their political views, should be denied the means to carry out daily life. How lovely some are on here.
NO we are talking about Coutts- a very special private bank with clear specifications re. who is allowed to bank with them- their own private rules- and who have offered him another bank account which does not have those requirements, with a sister bank.
Would you be allowed a Bank account with Coutts? I certainly would not! 99.9999 % of the population would not be allowed an account with them. He can perfectly 'carry out daily life' with a Nat West or other account.
How come the banking thing has spilled onto this thread?
As an attempt to answer the original question, I think there are three key reasons.
Firstly, they have to have something to fight against, because they have no positive policies of their own that people would rally round.
Secondly, they are, generally, trying to present themselves as being on the same side as people who are suffering from globalisation, neo-liberalism and the impacts of government decisions.
And thirdly, as has been pointed out, they don’t like any institution or tradition that prevents them indulging their authoritarian tendencies.
It is therefore both convenient and expedient to present those institutions as some form of elite, who, by doing tedious things like upholding the law, or insisting on political accountability, etc, are dragons themselves, or who are responsible for supporting whoever or whatever the populists have designated the enemy at any given time.
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