comparative politics final - populism

for comp politics final at uw

what is an ideology?

a highly organized system of ideas about politics

what are the two major dimensions of political ideology?

• left-right - economic policy

• authoritarian-libertarian - social/cultural issues

what does the left-right axis measure?

the degree of government involvement in the economy

what does the authoritarian-libertarian axis measure?

positions on social/cultural issues like abortion, lgbtq rights, minority rights, secularism

core beliefs of liberalism?

individual freedoms, representative democracy, constitutional limits, market economy, individuals > groups

how does liberalism view the economy?

free-market capitalism is the best way to organize economic activity

what are some core beliefs of fascism?

authoritarianism, militarism, right-wing nationalism, anti-democratic, state and nation priortized over the individual

what are some core beliefs of socialism?

economic equality, state intervention in economy, emphasizes groups, critique of liberal capitalism, advocates for working class revolutions → socialism → communism

populism

a thin centered ideology dividing society into the pure people vs. the corrupt elite, claiming politics should express the general will of the people

what makes populism a thin ideology?

it answers who should rule but not how or what policies should be adopted

who are the corrupt elite in populist rhetoric?

political establishment, intellectual elites, scientific experts, wealthy privileged groups

what are the three properties of populism?

• anti-elite - elites are immoral

• anti-pluralist - the people are homogenous

• against checks and balances

why are populists anti-pluralist?

they argue that some people are real people, delegitimizing opponents

what is the identity politics element of populism?

populists redefine "the people" to include only the in-group (often ethnic, cultural, or national)

what are examples of populist rhetoric themes?

anti establishment, voice of the people, majority rule, direct democracy

why is populism pro-democracy but anti-liberal democracy?

supports majority rule, but rejects rule of law, minority rights, an inst. limits

what key emotion drives the rise of populism?

feeling left behind which turns into resentment and anger

what are the economic drivers of populism?

• globalization - creates winners and losers, governments often fail to compensate losers

• technological change - benefits skilled workers and the superrich

• global financial crises - economic pain leads to loss of trust in the elites

how does globalization fuel populism?

gains are spread thin, losses are concentrated so affected groups become angry

how do global crises fuel populism?

crises originate externally, but domestic governments fail to protect people → blame elites

what are some cultural explanations for rising populism?

cultural backlash against progressive social change, immigration and identity concerns, security fears

how do populists affect democracy?

far more likely to erode democratic inst., undermine courts, legislatures and media, concentrate power in the exec

what percent of populist leaders rewrite or amend constitions?

over 50%, often weakening checks and balances

how do populist governments affect rights and liberties?

restricting press freedom, civil liberties, and harassment of opponents

how does populism affect public health crises?

• individual level - distrust in experts and scientific skepticism

• politician level - spread of misinformation and conspiratorial framing