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Why do national populists attack their countries old and respected institutions?

(94 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Sat 29-Jul-23 11:26:49

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.

MayBee70 Sun 30-Jul-23 16:09:29

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.

I’ve never said that what happened to him was right. But it still doesn’t make him someone that I would trust. He has links with no end of unscrupulous characters. And it shows that his attempt to be ‘I’m Nige, man of the people, just someone like you’ is completely fraudulent because, if he was he would never have been rich enough to bank with them in the first place. A member of the elite warning others about the danger of the elite doesn’t ring true with me.

Oreo Sun 30-Jul-23 17:19:22

Sorry Whitewavemark2 but some of what you say doesn’t make sense.
First off, you really did say that what happened to him was alright, you said that Coutts had the right to be discerning and debank him and that it was likely to be a problem with Russian dodgy dealings which had caused it.
Second, how not ring true? He was furious that his bank had closed his account and by the disinfectant of sunlight has brought this matter to mass attention.Many others have suffered the same with having accounts closed including Gina Millar. Banks will now have to be honest with customers over closed accounts, and that can only be a good thing.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 30-Jul-23 17:25:36

Siope

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.

But the weird thing is that if they gain power they need the “swamp” or “elite” as Trump described it or the institutions - we would describe it as - in order to maintain their power.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 30-Jul-23 17:28:04

I think it will be fascinating in the run up to the election in America, as they really will be treading on new ground, with one of the presidential candidates either in criminal court defending himself, or indeed in prison.

Freya5 Sun 30-Jul-23 17:43:49

MayBee70

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.

I’ve never said that what happened to him was right. But it still doesn’t make him someone that I would trust. He has links with no end of unscrupulous characters. And it shows that his attempt to be ‘I’m Nige, man of the people, just someone like you’ is completely fraudulent because, if he was he would never have been rich enough to bank with them in the first place. A member of the elite warning others about the danger of the elite doesn’t ring true with me.

Oh well, conspiracy theories, along with Chris Bryant and his cowardice, ie not accusing Farage outside of Parliamentary privilege, will always win over those unwilling to see anything other than their own bias.

Fleurpepper Sun 30-Jul-23 17:45:14

Your own bias indeed Freya.

MayBee70 Sun 30-Jul-23 19:03:49

Freya5

MayBee70

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.

I’ve never said that what happened to him was right. But it still doesn’t make him someone that I would trust. He has links with no end of unscrupulous characters. And it shows that his attempt to be ‘I’m Nige, man of the people, just someone like you’ is completely fraudulent because, if he was he would never have been rich enough to bank with them in the first place. A member of the elite warning others about the danger of the elite doesn’t ring true with me.

Oh well, conspiracy theories, along with Chris Bryant and his cowardice, ie not accusing Farage outside of Parliamentary privilege, will always win over those unwilling to see anything other than their own bias.

Oh come on. Chris Bryant is one of the most honest and respected politicians in this country..the polar opposite of Farage!

maddyone Sun 30-Jul-23 20:00:18

Ahh, you’re right merlotgran. I admit I wasn’t giving my full attention to the news when I heard it, so perhaps I misheard. I thought they said son but maybe it was grandson, or as Whitewave suggests, maybe a nephew. It was definitely a family member, and they are quite a political family and so it didn’t surprise me.

Namsnanny Mon 31-Jul-23 14:27:10

MayBee70

Well, the Capitol attack for starters…

really? What exactley?

Namsnanny Mon 31-Jul-23 14:46:27

Chris Bryant and his cowardice ie not accusing Farage outside of Parliamentary privilege........

If CB was convinced he was in the right, why do you think he hasn't taken NF to the cleaners, with this information?

Chris Bryant could shine his golden credentials until the cows come home, if he could slay he who must be hated the dreaded Nigel Farage.

So why not put us all out of our misery and state what he claim to know?

MayBee70 Mon 31-Jul-23 14:57:53

Namsnanny

MayBee70

Well, the Capitol attack for starters…

really? What exactley?

Was that not pure hatred and a country divided by a populist leader? Or am I missing something here?

growstuff Mon 31-Jul-23 15:15:29

Good post siope. Thanks for trying to get the thread back on track.

Namsnanny Mon 31-Jul-23 15:37:43

MayBee70

Namsnanny

MayBee70

Well, the Capitol attack for starters…

really? What exactley?

Was that not pure hatred and a country divided by a populist leader? Or am I missing something here?

I thought you might have something more specific to say.

MayBee70 Mon 31-Jul-23 15:47:48

You mean such as having vile comments aimed at me in the street because I campaigned for a people’s vote? That has never happened to me before in years of being a political activist. I assume you do understand about a divide and rule policy?

Namsnanny Mon 31-Jul-23 21:29:34

MayBee70

You mean such as having vile comments aimed at me in the street because I campaigned for a people’s vote? That has never happened to me before in years of being a political activist. I assume you do understand about a divide and rule policy?

I assume you do understand about a divide an rule policy....

confused

I don't quite know how to answer that MB.

I accept that you don't know me, but I would have to be under 3 years old to not understand it.

If you've read any child psychology you will find this is one of the first manipulations used by toddlers.

Yes of course I understand how and why it is used and by whom.

Tbh, who doesn't?

Whitewavemark2 Tue 01-Aug-23 14:41:51

So update on Israel.

The law stripping the judiciary was passed.

Bizarrely the judiciary must now decide whether this is reasonable It has however said nothing will be looked until September.

A huge amount of the military have cancelled their military service particularly members of the airforce.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 01-Aug-23 15:02:25

Just a heads up.

Some people I know have read some of Yuval Harari’s books, and I have just been listening to his opinions about and opposition to Netanyahu on ACs and RC podcast Leaders. Next week he talks about his life, books growing up in Israel etc.

If anyone is interested.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 06-Aug-23 10:44:11

So this week we’ve been able to watch how the populist operates.

1. Always the victim. Trump claiming victimhood - when the real victims are the voters that he attempted to deprive or “get rid” of their votes.

2. He has been full on assault towards the judiciary, and we can now fully understand what he intends to do if he gets the presidency. The rule of law is under severe threat.

The rule of law is the bulwark of a democratic society, and we mess with it at our peril. Remember Johnson’s threat to curb our judicial powers, because he hated the fact that they ruled some if his actions illegal?