Right-wing populism

[theDoctorisIn]

Pathetically, one of the common arguments on this board is the Godwin argument - which side is more like the Nazis, and so one. Arguments over the words "national socialism", Stalin's crimes, and so on.

But there's an important thing that everyone seems to miss. The common element that exists between nearly all of the regimes that have committed the worst crimes against humanity is not "left" or "right", it's populism - or more specifically, nationalism and populism - and today, those are on the rise all over the world - mostly from right wing parties, but echoed on the left as well. A glance at the current status of much of Eastern Europe will give you a good example - and the support from American movement conservatives for the borderline fascist governments in Hungary based on their reactions to immigration highlights the issue even more.

Trump is the current king of populism on the right in the US. Carson and Cruz are close seconds. On the left, Sanders is the populist hero, and even Hillary dabbles in it in her speeches.

This is interesting from a number of political theory perspectives. Traditionally the "Conservative" ideology is an antithesis to populism - conservatism being the ideology of long-term, slow change, with respect given to authority and the status quo. The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo - while the basis for populism is in passionate and emotional "us versus them" rhetoric and mob rule.

What is the explanation for the rise of right-wing populism? Why have ideologies shifted? What will be the end result of this in the US? Are we as a country smart enough to avoid the traps of authoritarian populism?

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

"What is the explanation for the rise of right-wing populism?"

Fear of, and contempt for, change, diversity, and expressions of individual liberty.

When conservative ideology of long-term, slow change, with respect given to authority and the status quo is perceived by rightists as being 'under attack,' where change is perceived to be happening too quickly, that conservative authority is perceived to be no longer respected, and the conservative status quo is perceived as being challenged, the reactionaryism common to most on the right emerges, becoming hostile to the change and diversity it perceives as a 'threat,' giving rise to extremism, populism, and a political backlash that manifests with the likes of Trump and Carson.

Of course, this process has been occurring as long as Western Civilization has existed.

 

[MarathonMike]

What you describe as "Right Wing Populism" to me is nothing more than real Americans getting pissed off at seeing their country incrementally moving away from what made it great toward something that is going to make it mediocre or worse. With every speech and every action Obama has shown his disdain for America and his determination to change it into a Socialist State. He uses the tried and true tactics of Racial division and economic division and a complicit Liberal media to jam his vision upon us.
So you can call it what you want. It's simply real Americans, the ones that work, the ones with families, the ones you don't see rioting that have had enough of this bullshit.

 

[OKTexas]

That has to be the most intellectually dishonest assessment I've seen recently. You dear leader is the quintessential example of an authoritarian populist, yet he didn't even rate a mention. You regressivecrats seem to have perfected the art of projection.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

That has to be the most intellectually dishonest assessment I've seen recently. You dear leader is the quintessential example of an authoritarian populist, yet he didn't even rate a mention. You regressivecrats seem to have perfected the art of projection.

Why don't you explain how Obama is a "quintessential example of an authoritarian populist"?

 

[theDoctorisIn]

What you describe as "Right Wing Populism" to me is nothing more than real Americans getting pissed off at seeing their country incrementally moving away from what made it great toward something that is going to make it mediocre or worse. With every speech and every action Obama has shown his disdain for America and his determination to change it into a Socialist State. He uses the tried and true tactics of Racial division and economic division and a complicit Liberal media to jam his vision upon us.
So you can call it what you want. It's simply real Americans, the ones that work, the ones with families, the ones you don't see rioting that have had enough of this bullshit.

You do realize that this post is a perfect example of the rhetoric I'm talking about, right?

 

[PaintMyHouse]

What is the explanation for the rise of right-wing populism?

Lack of education on civics, capitalism, religion, ethics, American history and government, coupled with the dismissal of the Fairness Doctrine. Right-wingers are simple poorly-educated folks who believe it when told that there are simple answers to complex problems, and they don't know any better. They are easily exploited by partisans and zealots for capitalism and reactionary Christianity. There is no middle, which they wouldn't respect anyway because they don't know any better. They've never been taught.

 

[Unkotare]

... the borderline fascist governments in Hungary based on their reactions to immigration ....

You mean based on your opinion about said reactions, of course.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

... the borderline fascist governments in Hungary based on their reactions to immigration ....

You mean based on your opinion about said reactions, of course.

I believe the fact that the OP is my opinion is fairly clear, I did not think it was necessary to state it.

Do you have an opinion you'd like to share?

 

[Unkotare]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

 

[Mac1958]

Watching closed-minded, narcissistic hardcore partisan ideologues from one silly end of the spectrum pretend to have a serious conversation about the motives and behaviors of closed-minded, narcissistic hardcore partisan ideologues from the other side is always a hoot.

And the funniest part of all is how similar the behaviors of the two ends are.


.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

Actually, I kinda am. But that's not the point.

I'm not speaking of modern "conservatism" - any more than the modern defintion of "liberalism" fits it's origins.

I would describe modern conservatism as a mixture of liberalism, populism and conservatism - as I would describe modern liberalism as a combination of Marxism, conservatism, liberalism (and a little populism too).

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Watching closed-minded, narcissistic hardcore partisan ideologues from one silly end of the spectrum pretend to have a serious conversation about the motives and behaviors of closed-minded, narcissistic hardcore partisan ideologues from the other side is always a hoot.

And the funniest part of all is how similar the behaviors of the two ends are.


.

It's funny that you think I'm a "hardcore partisan".

 

[Unkotare]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

Actually, I kinda am.....

How so?

 

[theDoctorisIn]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

Actually, I kinda am.....

How so?

I'm a doctoral candidate in Political Science.

 

[FJO]

Pathetically, one of the common arguments on this board is the Godwin argument - which side is more like the Nazis, and so one. Arguments over the words "national socialism", Stalin's crimes, and so on.

But there's an important thing that everyone seems to miss. The common element that exists between nearly all of the regimes that have committed the worst crimes against humanity is not "left" or "right", it's populism - or more specifically, nationalism and populism - and today, those are on the rise all over the world - mostly from right wing parties, but echoed on the left as well. A glance at the current status of much of Eastern Europe will give you a good example - and the support from American movement conservatives for the borderline fascist governments in Hungary based on their reactions to immigration highlights the issue even more.

Trump is the current king of populism on the right in the US. Carson and Cruz are close seconds. On the left, Sanders is the populist hero, and even Hillary dabbles in it in her speeches.

This is interesting from a number of political theory perspectives. Traditionally the "Conservative" ideology is an antithesis to populism - conservatism being the ideology of long-term, slow change, with respect given to authority and the status quo. The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo - while the basis for populism is in passionate and emotional "us versus them" rhetoric and mob rule.

What is the explanation for the rise of right-wing populism? Why have ideologies shifted? What will be the end result of this in the US? Are we as a country smart enough to avoid the traps of authoritarian populism?

 

[Unkotare]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

Actually, I kinda am.....

How so?

I'm a doctoral candidate in Political Science.

"Candidate" means....nevermind, I know exactly what it means. So, after some presumed study you really don't understand the terms in question?

 

[Meathead]

Pathetically, one of the common arguments on this board is the Godwin argument - which side is more like the Nazis, and so one. Arguments over the words "national socialism", Stalin's crimes, and so on.

But there's an important thing that everyone seems to miss. The common element that exists between nearly all of the regimes that have committed the worst crimes against humanity is not "left" or "right", it's populism - or more specifically, nationalism and populism - and today, those are on the rise all over the world - mostly from right wing parties, but echoed on the left as well. A glance at the current status of much of Eastern Europe will give you a good example - and the support from American movement conservatives for the borderline fascist governments in Hungary based on their reactions to immigration highlights the issue even more.

Trump is the current king of populism on the right in the US. Carson and Cruz are close seconds. On the left, Sanders is the populist hero, and even Hillary dabbles in it in her speeches.

This is interesting from a number of political theory perspectives. Traditionally the "Conservative" ideology is an antithesis to populism - conservatism being the ideology of long-term, slow change, with respect given to authority and the status quo. The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo - while the basis for populism is in passionate and emotional "us versus them" rhetoric and mob rule.

What is the explanation for the rise of right-wing populism? Why have ideologies shifted? What will be the end result of this in the US? Are we as a country smart enough to avoid the traps of authoritarian populism?

My God, have you ever heard a Bernie Sanders Speech? Sanders, like socialists of his ilk before him like are the most authoritarian populists anywhere. There is little difference between him and the like of the late Chavez.

 

[Mac1958]

It's funny that you think I'm a "hardcore partisan".

Well, your posts might something to do with it.
.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

... The basis for conservatism is the idea that man is inherently fallible, and that systems of authority exist to maintain the natural hierarchy and status quo -....

No, that is not the basis for conservatism. Stop playing at political scientist, because you aren't one.

Actually, I kinda am.....

How so?

I'm a doctoral candidate in Political Science.

"Candidate" means....nevermind, I know exactly what it means. So, after some presumed study you really don't understand the terms in question?

I do understand the terms in question - you have yet to demonstrate that you do.

I will admit that Political Theory is not my field specifically, my research is focused on public opinion and political psychology, and I welcome you to offer any counter arguments to my points.