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

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?

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.

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.

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....



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?

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?

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.

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

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?

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

Well, the Capitol attack for starters…

really? What exactley?

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.

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!

Your own bias indeed Freya.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How come the banking thing has spilled onto this thread?

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.

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!

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.

That’s because she can see him for what he is…

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.