New Media: Extremism, Populism and (Mis)information

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to populism, extremism, and media influence.

Populism

An ideology that pits a virtuous and homogenous people against a set of elites and dangerous 'others' who are depriving the sovereign people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity, and voice.

Anti-elitism/anti-establishment

A core component of populism, rejecting established parties and politicians.

Manichean world view

A characteristic of populism, presenting a world divided into good (the people) versus evil (the elites).

People centrism

A focus on the common person and their interests, central to populist ideology.

Economic and cultural protection-seeking hypothesis

A structural explanation for populism, distinct from cognitive-psychological explanations.

Democratic deficit

Mudde argues populism is a symptom of this, where people no longer trust established liberal democratic parties and politicians.

Mediatisation

Politicians adapting their messages to media logic, news values, newsroom routines, and journalistic culture.

Affective journalism of tabloids

Focuses on emotions instead of facts, contributing to sensationalism in politics.

Incels

"Involuntary celibate": someone unable to develop romantic or sexual relationships despite desiring one; often found in male-only online spaces.

Rule of law

The elites defend minority rights emphasizing constitutional guarantees of equality before the law, universal rights and freedoms, and due process.

Rule of man

Instead of the rule of law creates a conflict between legitimacy (the claim of populists to represent the people) and legality (the claim of the elites that populists violate constitutional and other legal norms and rules).

Betrayal-of-the people

For populists, the entire elite is corrupt elite, no difference between government and opposition, between bankers, entrepreneurs, academics and journalists.

Outsider

Enemy of the people.

US VS THEM frame

Populism utilizes this conflict frame, aligning well with media logic.

Conspiracy Mentality

Attributes societal events to secretive, malevolent actions by elites.

Realistic Threats

Concerns about personal economic status, financial resources, and well-being.

Symbolic Threats

Concerns about cultural identity, values, and way of life.

Threat appraisals

These are subjective and mediate emotional responses like anxiety, distress and fear.

Gullibility

Populist attitudes are associated with a higher likelihood of believing any claim that is not inconsistent with one's worldview.

Bullshit receptivity

The extent to which people perceive deeper meaning in statements that appear profound but are actually empty.

False attempts at division of the homogeneous people

Populists accuse the elite of 'creating' societal discord and cleavages that do not really exist, merely to keep their job and to keep the party cartel running.