Fascinating discussion in Paris about how law can / should respond to rise of "cultural identity" politics across Europe. Conference has nothing to do with Brexit... but oh oh oh, do the following points sound familiar to us in UK? Thread:
Eg populist arguments rely on rejection of empirical, rational, evidence-based analysis; in favour of appealing to subjective feelings / emotions / perceptions.
Eg but not just appeal to subjectivity - populists actively use propaganda to foster those very feelings / emotions / perceptions, in the first place, to serve political preferences and purposes of the populists themselves
Eg populists present those "cultural identites" as absolute and non-negotiable. Any compromise = existential threat to the (populist constructed) group identity. Inevitable and deliberate consequence? Foster social division & conflict
Eg net result = build identity-based movement defining itself through social division, external threats, internal enemies... whose purpose is to act as vehicle for political breakthrough by puppet masters with ulterior motives & objectives. Ie "they're being used..."
Eg dilemma for liberal democrats (whether left, right or centre) = how to respond effectively to illiberal authoritarian threat of right wing populists? Can one compromise with people who don't want compromise? Can one enforce the rules against people who want to overturn them?
All sounds very familiar, huh? Irony is: cultural-nationalist populists are part of a very effective international movement with soooooo much in common. Pity they're such a pack of obnoxious, dangerous knaves...
