Populism - Friends and Enemies

How does Muller charactertize Populism

Based on the (fictitious) idea that there exists One true people, and that those people are alone the legitimate representative of this unified will

What does he mean by the idea that there exists one true people

exclusion (us versus them), where the people are defined symbolically and morally, encompassing the real americans while excluding those who do not belong

How are “the people” defined

moral unity standing for a moral order that once existed or is yet to come

Why do populist movements frequently target migrants

they are an easy target, migration and asylum are depicted as threats to the social cultural ethnic and racial characteristics of a nation

What are the explanations for the rise in populism

cynicism, rejection of elites(pushing liberal rights against ordinary people), political failure(disconnect between politicians)

How are crises, real or fabricated, used by populist leaders?

the leaders usually maintain power and support by dramatizing and scandalizing existing or fabricated problems, exploiting and reframing events to their benefits, crisis becomes indefinite and pervasive

What is pluralism?

political system where power is dispersed among many competing groups, organizations, and interests

What does it mean for populism to tend to be anti-pluralist

it offers a nostalgic vision of a restoration of a simple moral social order

What is democratic pluralism

competing interests, especially minority interests, are perceived as an impediment to achieving th emoral unity of “the people” Those who participate in debate are viewed as illegitimate or even “enemies with”