Lecture 5 - Populism

What is a notable recent phenomenon regarding the European far right and human rights language?

European far-right movements have increasingly employed the language and terminology of human rights.

According to the analysis, what is the primary way the European far right uses human rights language?

The use of human rights language by the European far right is primarily instrumental.

What surprising intellectual remnant from the history of human rights thought does the far right sometimes utilize?

The far right sometimes utilizes surprising remnants such as the relative natural law theory.

What is a common aim of the far right when using human rights language regarding racism?

In many cases, the far right's use of human rights language are thinly veiled attempts to pass racism as legitimate rights claims.

How does the far right repurpose the criticism of Western bias in human rights?

The far right turns the criticism of Western bias in human rights into an argument for white supremacy.

Which category of human rights receives a particular focus in far-right discussions?

The far right often emphasizes liberty rights such as freedom of speech and the protection of political activity.

How do some far-right movements utilize the language of minority rights?

Some far-right movements turn minority rights into a way to advocate for the protection of white culture against multiculturalism.

What is the far-right critique of 'human rights ideology' often labeled as?

The far right often labels 'human rights ideology' as a self-harming of Western countries.

Name some of the major European parties and organizations analyzed in the context of far-right use of human rights language.

The analysis includes groups such as the French Rassemblement National (RN) and Nouvelle Droite, German Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD), and the Finnish Finns party.

According to the article, what is the understanding of human rights based on?

The authors understand human rights as a legal concept derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

What are some recurring themes present in current international far-right language?

Continuing themes include theories of white supremacy, European hegemony, ‘white genocide’ and replacement theories, and appeals to identity politics based on ethnicity and religion.

How does Nazi legal thought relate to some far-right ideas about rights?

Some far-right texts echo the Nazi natural law theory, which prioritized the ethnic community (Blutgemeinschaft) and granted rights only to its members.

In discussions about terrorism, how does the far right weaponize human rights?

The far right often claims that human rights protect terrorists and criminals while neglecting the rights of white victims.

What is a hierarchic view of human rights expressed by some in the far right?

Some argue that the human rights of their own national group should take precedence over others.

How is freedom of speech used in the context of Holocaust denial within the far right?

Freedom of speech is used to justify denying the Holocaust, with denialists considering themselves the true victims when their views are challenged.

What is the concept of 'droit-de-l’hommisme', and how has it been used by the far right?

'Droit-de-l’hommisme' refers to the expansiveness of human rights ideology, and the far right has misused it to criticize and reject human rights obligations.

What is Rawls's perspective on when civil disobedience is justified in a democratic society?

Rawls argues that civil disobedience is justified when there are violations of the principle of equal basic liberties.

According to Rawls, what justifies 'disobedience' (potentially war) on the international level?

Rawls suggests that international 'disobedience' is justifiable only when gross violations of essential human rights occur within a tyrannical state.

Does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly establish a human right to democracy?

No, the Universal Declaration does not formulate a human right to democracy, but rather the right to participate in government.

What are the two main distinct understandings of democracy?

The two main understandings are procedural (formal), emphasizing how the will of the state is formed, and substantive (material), focusing on the fundamental rights of citizens.

How did Rousseau's view of the social contract differ from Locke's?

Rousseau argued for a complete and unconditional transfer of original rights to the state to establish the general will, unlike Locke's model with retained natural rights.

According to Radbruch, what is the implication of democracy's relativism for law?

Radbruch argued that since values cannot be objectively proven, law in a democracy is based on the value with the most political support (majority will), but fundamental rights must still be respected.

What is Dworkin's "constitutional reading" of democracy?

Dworkin argues that democracy includes substantial values and the protection of individual rights against simple majority decisions, emphasising equality over majority rule.

What was a key argument of the German Federal Constitutional Court regarding the democratic legitimacy of the European Union?

The court argued that the EU lacks a unified European people (demos) and thus its democratic legitimacy is fully dependent on its member states.

What is 'human rights populism'?

'Human rights populism' refers to the phenomenon where populist movements increasingly, deliberately, and aggressively deploy rights discourse, even while being contemptuous of rights on some level.

What are some key characteristics of human rights populism?

Key characteristics include the elevation of a subset of rights, a return to classical liberal understandings, and a flipping of hierarchies of victimhood.

How do populists often use "freedom of expression"?

Populists increasingly focus on freedom of expression as a rallying cry to legitimize extremist views and portray opponents as enemies of liberty.

What is a common populist critique of the mainstream human rights movement?

Populists often criticize the human rights movement's turn to legalization and technocratic governance, viewing it as transferring authority to disconnected elites.

What are some potential responses of the human rights movement to human rights populism?

Potential responses include doubling down on human rights principles, absorbing the populist challenge by re-emphasizing democracy, and introspectively addressing the contradictions within human rights.

According to the analysis of human rights populism, what is one reason why it is a sophisticated challenge to the human rights movement?

Human rights populism draws on what has been human rights' main attraction (formulating political projects under liberal tolerance) and "plays the game" of human rights discourse.