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GSPS lecture 1 notes

Populist Revolt Against Representative Democracy: Key Points

Background on Post-War Political Consensus

  • The post-war period saw consensus among political elites in many countries.

  • Support for free-market policies and regional integration (e.g., the EU).

  • Criticism: This was described as a "party cartel" where principled opposition was replaced by consensus among major parties.

Shift from Consensus

  • There is a growing divide between parties and voter groups on issues like:

    • Immigration

    • European integration

    • Free market policies

    • Climate change

  • The rise of populist parties is challenging traditional centrist or "establishment" parties.

Understanding Populism

  • Mudde's View: Populism reflects a democratic deficit rather than being the cause of it.

  • Key Issue: While many people support liberal democracy, there is a growing distrust in established parties and politicians.

  • Public Sentiment: People are often more moderate or centrist than assumed, displaying ambivalence toward both populist and establishment politics.

Key Concepts

  • Input Legitimacy: Reflects how citizens can influence decisions and policies, emphasizing mechanisms for citizen participation.

  • Throughput Legitimacy: Refers to the processes through which public policy is made, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability.

  • Output Legitimacy: Concerns the effects of policies and whether they meet public expectations.

Democratic Representation

  • The importance of democratic representation in decision-making processes, balancing majority rule with minority rights.

Trust in Political Institutions

  • Examining Euroscepticism and political trust, encapsulating tensions between national interests and supranational governance.

Inequality and Governance

  • Exploring how social inequalities shape governance, focusing on taxation policies and welfare state implications.

Welfare States in Europe

  • Characterized by economic redistribution but challenged by retrenchments following financial crises.

Democratic Backsliding

  • The rise of populist authoritarianism and its effects on democratic norms and trust in institutions.

Media Influence on Democracy

  • New media shapes civic engagement but poses challenges like selective exposure and echo chambers.

Structure of Political Systems

  • Majoritarian vs. Consensus Models: Differentiating between concentrated executive power and power-sharing frameworks.

  • Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems: Understanding the roles and dependencies of executives in governance.

  • Liberal Democracy: Defined by constitutional constraints on government, upheld by an independent judiciary.

Final Notes

  • The course will involve quizzes and an emphasis on connecting various threads to understand distinctive democracies and their challenges.

Observations

  • The vast majority of European countries are functioning, stable democracies, highlighting the transient nature of democratic governance and ongoing political changes. Studying this context is crucial for understanding contemporary European politics.

Populism and Polarization Types

Ideological Polarization

  • Divergence in political beliefs, policy preferences, and views on social and cultural issues.

Affective Polarization

  • Based on feelings of (dis)like toward others:

    • Perception of other groups as morally "good" or "evil."

    • Cognitive level: views on the intelligence or reasoning abilities of opposing groups, often seeing "the other" as gullible or manipulated.

Reality Polarization

  • Disparity in factual interpretations and perceptions of reality:

    • Definition: Individuals, despite similar exposures, develop starkly different understandings of fundamental facts and societal dynamics.

    • More than Opinion Differences: These are conflicting interpretations of basic realities rather than just diverse values or opinions.

  • Influences on Reality Polarization:

    • Selective exposure to information sources.

    • Echo chambers reinforcing existing beliefs and misinformation.

New Media and Populism: Simplified Points

New Media’s Impact

  • Shifts civic engagement to a personal level, not a group activity.

  • Blurs boundaries between private and public life, as well as professional and personal spheres.

Filter Bubbles

  • People mostly see information that matches their views, avoiding opposing perspectives.

Core Populist Beliefs

  • Anti-Establishment: Distrust of traditional institutions and elites.

  • Anti-Experts/Intellectualism: Rejects experts, favoring everyday "common sense."

  • Pro-Common Sense: Simple, relatable reasoning preferred over technical knowledge.

  • Simple and Immediate Solutions: Promotes quick fixes to complex issues.

  • Out-Group Derogation: Criticizes or blames groups seen as “other” or outside the mainstream.

History & Causes of Populism

Causes of Populism

  • Global Economic Crisis: Economic instability contributes to populist appeal.

  • Growing Inequality: Rising inequality within and between nations intensifies discontent.

  • Anti-Immigrant Sentiment: Driven by competition for jobs and resources and cultural concerns.

Immigration and Populism

  • Cultural Impact: Immigration challenges shared norms and communication (language), leading to tensions over multiculturalism vs. assimilation.

  • Politicization of Differences: Ethnic and religious differences become politically charged, fueling populist rhetoric.

Support Base for Populism

  • Shift in Support: While traditionally supported by the lower middle class, populist appeal is now growing among working-class, blue-collar voters.

  • Economic Insecurity: Declining economic security for lower and middle classes due to:

    • Neoliberal austerity measures and cuts in welfare.

    • Job outsourcing, automation, and labor competition with migrants.

  • Loss of Bargaining Power: Economic changes reduce workers' leverage, heightening populist support.

European Welfare States

  • Characteristics: European democracies are known for strong welfare states, providing substantial social protections like pensions and unemployment benefits.

  • Impact of Financial Crises (1970s and 2007-2008): Repeated financial crises have weakened welfare states, leading to increased inequality, which further fuels populist sentiments.

Majoritarian vs Consensus Model of Democracy

  • Majoritarian: Logic of majoritarian democracy is power concentration.

  • Consensus: Logic of consensus democracy is power sharing.

Political Systems: Parliamentary vs Presidential

Presidential System

  • Executive and Legislature: Both are popularly elected and have separate mandates.

  • Separation of Powers: Strict checks and balances prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

  • Fixed Executive Tenure: The president cannot be removed by a vote of no confidence but can face impeachment for misconduct.

  • No Parliamentary Responsibility: The executive does not depend on legislative support to stay in power.

  • Constitutional Power: Government powers and citizen rights are outlined and protected by a constitution.

Parliamentary System

  • Dependence on Legislative Majority: The government must maintain the support of the legislative majority to remain in power.

  • Head of State: Not directly elected for a fixed term (often a monarch or ceremonial president).

  • Parliaments vs. Congresses:

    • Parliamentary systems = fused powers (legislature and executive work closely together).

    • Presidential systems = separation of powers (clear distinction between branches).

Comparative Summary

  • Parliamentary System: Needs Legislative Support; If they lose support, they can be removed by a vote of no confidence; Head of State often ceremonial, not elected; Parliaments with fused powers.

  • Presidential System: Does not need legislative support; Executive and Legislature elected separately; Fixed term for President unless impeached; Clear separation of powers with checks and balances.