Lezing
SG-activity - Democracy under pressure: A populist Zeitgeist?
In this turbulent landscape of democratic tensions, new players and inflation we acknowledge the rise of left and right wing populism. We saw phenomena like Pirate Parties, Occupy, Syriza, Indignados, Nuit Debout, Beppe Grillo, Golden Dawn and Pegida; as well as the changing image of Erdogan, the polarisation around Trump, and not to forget the Brexit referendum.
Populists challenge the establishment and claim to be the voice of the people. Elites are heavily under attack, with mounting difficulty to legitimize themselves as the elite. Large parts of populations think they don’t get the influence to which they are entitled. What are the causes and consequences of this populist upsurge? Why does it rise now and how does it see its relation with democracy? Is it a sign of the strength of democracy organizing its own critical counterforce or is it an undermining force and a final test for democracy?
dr. M. Rooduijn (UU) tells us all about the causes and consequences of the rise of populism in democracies.