There is definitely a threat of fascism. Has to be put down.
Donald Trump, among some of the other leaders of some of the 3rd world countries, has proven that the new Populism is the new Fascism!
Populism is on the rise - especially among Europe's right, and in the US, where it helped crown Mr Trump in 2016.
In political science, populism is the idea that society is separated into two groups at odds with one another - "the pure people" and "the corrupt elite"
The true populist leader claims to represent the unified "will of the people". He stands in opposition to an enemy, often embodied by the current system - aiming to "drain the swamp" or tackle the "liberal elite".
But "most successful populists today are on the right, particularly the radical right!
Politicians like Marine Le Pen in France, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Donald Trump in the US, combine populism with [anti-immigrant] nativism and authoritarianism! Political scientists have been catching on to this for the last 25-30 years.
Experts point to both societal changes like multiculturalism and globalism, and more concrete crises as behind the rise of populist parties in Europe.
The emergence of populist parties in Europe could be seen in the early 2000s - but they remained small for several years.
The swell in support seemed to happen from 2008 - and particularly in 2011, when the banking crisis turned into a sovereign debt crisis! It was a rare occasion when an elite class - the wealthy bankers - could be identified as more or less directly responsible for a crisis which affected the majority of society.
There are other traits associated with the typical populist leader. One is "bad manners", or behaving in a way that's not typical of politicians - a tactic employed by President Trump and the Philippines' President Duterte. The other, is "perpetuating a state of crisis" - and always seeming to be on the offensive. A populist leader who gets into power is 'forced' to be in a permanent campaign to convince his people that he is not establishment - and never will be!
Populist content is "made of negatives" - whether it is anti-politics, anti-intellectualism, or anti-elite. Here lies one of the populism's strengths - it is versatile and extraordinarily powerful because it can adapt to just about any and all situations.
That also ties in to its links to authoritarianism- a lack of trust in the established system gives rise to "strongman" leaders. Ultimately, the leader makes the decision in a way that just isn't possible in traditional democracies!
That sentiment is perhaps best embodied by the late left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who once said: "I am not an individual - I am the people".
Such thinking can lead to people thinking they're infallible,as It restructures the political space in a new and scary way!
After all, if you're not with "the people" - then you must be against us.
That is why populist leaders are often viewed with suspicion - and why the term is often used as a type of insult for a politician who promises too much, as it is actually- irresponsible bidding!
In order to garner support, they're quicker than the establishment party to make offers, or to promise to change things… that on closer inspection may not turn out to be feasible.
But, all in all, populism is a threat to Democracy! And one that all Americans better start taking seriously before we end up a 3rd world country with an authoritarian government.
