Populism – culture or economics?

Economics alone do not explain the rise of populism and growing rejection of liberalism in developed economies. The stagnation of median real incomes in the UK and US no doubt partly explain the election of a populist President and Britain’s vote to quit the EU. But other countries, such as France, Italy and Spain, have experienced very little growth in median incomes without populist thinking gaining ascendency. Similarly, median workers in the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria have done well over the last 20 years, including since the financial crisis, and yet these countries are home to some of the strongest populist pressures in Europe. Culture also matters: in particular the levels of social conservatism, attitudes to immigration, and history. And crucially, mainstream politicians have been too willing to confer legitimacy on populists by adopting their language and policies.

ESO: Background information: Rise and fall of populism http://www.europeansources.info/record/rise-and-fall-of-populism/

ESO: Background information: Five views: Is populism really a threat to democracy? (EuroppBlog, July 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/five-views-is-populism-really-a-threat-to-democracy/

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