Book description
Donald Trump, Silvio Berlusconi, Marine Le Pen, Hugo Chavez-populists are on the rise across the globe. But what exactly is populism? Should everyone who criticizes Wall Street or Washington be called a populist? What precisely is the difference between right-wing and left-wing populism? Does populism bring government closer to the…
Why read it?
2 authors picked What Is Populism? as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Many intellectuals and politicians are worried about the rise of populism. Many of us have a vague idea of populism, but Müller provides a very useful clarification of what populism means. It is a very short but informative book. Populism is not a new phenomenon. However, what I found most revealing is the thesis that populism, according to the author, is neither an authentic part nor a pathology of modern democracies. Rather, ‘it is the permanent shadow of representative politics.’ He means that democracy is fragile.
In vulnerable moments, some political actors will claim to speak in the name of…
A perfect book for anybody looking for a short and accessible yet very comprehensive introduction to the subject of populism.
What I particularly liked was how engaging the writing was (not a given with political scientists!) and how it offered key insights on real-world political developments, from Trump to Brexit. I found it an ideal starting point for learning more about populism and it greatly helped my own understanding of the concept.
From Georg's list on understand how populism works.
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