Thread by @docrussjackson

A clear, concise & well-written & article by sociologist Arianna Piacentini, on the rise of (populist) nationalism & right-wing populism across Europe - a trend which, given Europe's history over the last century, should concern us all.

I'll summarise:

beta.eurac.edu/en/blogs/eurek…

Arianna starts by saying #populism has become ‘the concept that defines our age’, & the electoral surges of right-wing populist parties have been branded a ‘populist zeitgeist’.

Yet populism is - as I've said elsewhere - a slippery concept, featuring both the right & the left.

On the Right, we have parties such as the Hungarian Fidesz, the French National Front or the Italian Northern League. On the Left, Syriza in Greece & Podemos in Spain - as well as seemingly 'non-ideological' anti-establishment actors such as the 5 Stars Movement in Italy.

#Populism is based on the idea of a fundamental opposition between the ‘the pure people’ & the ‘corrupt elite’ &, populists argue, politics should be an expression of the people’s volonté générale, or, as we've been relentlessly subjected to in the UK - 'the will of the people!"

There is a general perception that #democracy seems to be slowly eroding, prompting scholars to talk of a 'crisis' or 'backslide' in democracy: we see illiberalism & ethnonationalism, nationalist & right-wing populism, are increasingly dominating Western European politics.

Orban first described a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in matters of immigration as ‘defending Europe from the Muslim invasion’.

Right-wing populists such as the Dutch Party for Freedom, AfD in Germany & Golden Dawn in Greece, also embrace this perspective.

We hear it in the UK too.

They reject both migrants (as outsiders) & the EU (as the cause - liberal multiculturalism). The in-group (the people) must be defended against both enemies from beyond (migrants, immigrants, ethnic minorities) & enemies from above (EU, UN, IMF, ‘global elites’, foreign powers).

It's no coincidence that he electoral surge of these populist nationalist parties coincided with economic (2008 financial crash) & social (migrant crisis) shocks - manifested in a generalized popular disappointment regarding both domestic & international political elites.

Historically, populist parties & leaders have always emerged as a consequence of ‘general social crises’ – think back to the 1930s - sometimes due to fractures in the power block, at other times due to the system’s inability to absorb its contradictions or transform itself.

The current Europe-wide ‘populist zeitgeist’ is no exception: the economic recession which hit Europe in 2008, & the refugee crisis which has emerged most clearly since 2015, are both determining factors in the rise of right-wing populism & nationalism, at home & across Europe.

The response to these socio-economic shocks was to turn inwards, socially & economically, manifested in the policies of ‘closing the borders’ or erecting walls. Brexit increased Euroscepticism, economic protectionism, social conservativism, & increased ‘tolerance of intolerance’.

‘The terrorism factor’ - heightened by terrorist attacks across Europe - was also used by right-wing parties as a political weapon to stress the boundary line between ‘us & them’, in turn legitimating & justifying the need for stricter policies in matter of national security .

Especially in Central & Eastern Europe, #democracy is threatened by increasingly authoritarian & illiberal tendencies – once thought to have vanished in Europe - which *could* foreshadow wider contagion across Western Europe & elsewhere.

A political class, which - while accepting & respecting the rules of the democratic game, even adopting democratic reforms - at the same time, relies on ethnic politics, clientelism & patronage, as well as nationalist rhetoric to gain consensus & electoral support (Priti Patel).

The rise of right-wing populism & the development of un-democratic & illiberal tendencies has undoubtedly been strengthened by the 2008 economic crisis – which worsened the area’s economic conditions, & sharpened pre-existing social & wealth inequalities.

These economic & social shocks also deepened disappointments & frustrations with the EU & generated both anti-elite & anti-establishment sentiment - on both Left & Right - but at home & across Europe, it is the Right who appear to have capitalised on these sentiments.

The macro-crises impacting European states & their democracies have created an environment permeated by insecurity & anxiety, sometimes worsening already precarious domestic situations.

Such an environment provides the most fertile ground for right-wing populist nationalism.

Across Europe, there is a general trend towards the closure of boundaries, exclusivism, & xenophobia, yet, at the same time, democracy & its principles are being endorsed & supported. So rather than 'backsliding', Arianna asks if democracy is going through a redefinition process.

Illiberal & quasi-authoritarian measures - advocated by the right-wing populist nationalists across Europe & supported by an increasing number of voters - are increasingly being regarded as the ultimate realisation of 'the will of the people', & thus legitimate & democratic.

These political developments are framed - predominantly but not exclusively by the Right - as measures to protect & safeguard ‘the people’ from 'cultural contaminations' & insecurities. though thankfully (perhaps) #democracy per se remains uncontested – ‘the only game in town’.

However, democracy's mechanisms & institutions are increasingly used by the right-wing populist class – & seen by an increasing portion of the electorate – as tools of exclusion & in-group protection, rather than inclusion & cooperation.

Is this where Britain really wants to go?

This article was written before the pandemic.

The developments Arianna outlines, imho, now have an added urgency: there's no doubt that the economic shock following both Brexit & the pandemic will make 2008 feel relatively mild, so we need to start preparing for the fallout NOW.

This involves urgently considering & planning concrete alternatives to the direction of travel: who wants to live in a Britain characterised by intolerance, xenophobia, & Islamophobia?

My guess & hope is that the democratic majority don't: let's reclaim 'The Will of the People!'