Populism is not a new phenomenon, but it has been on an upward trend during the past decade, with the most notable examples being Donald Trump, the UK Brexit campaign, and the recent wins in some European countries’ parliaments. Other examples that will be discussed in this paper are El Salvador’s President Salvador Nayib Bukele and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. When analyzing on a worldwide scale, we can attribute the rise of populism to several possible triggers, such as the increase of social media, globalization, the augmentation of inclusivity, and the refugee crisis. On a country-to-country scale, the causes may be more specific, but these are the main causes of the rise of populism since they occurred globally (Gust et al. 5-6). Donald Trump’s win in 2016 also significantly impacted the global rise of populism, as many ‘strong man’ leaders and populist allies felt emboldened by his presidency (Gust et al. 5-6). This paper will seek to provide clarity on why populism has increased dramatically in recent years and provide advice on how we can protect democratic institutions. I will begin by providing a definition of populism and analyzing research on the causes & effects of populism around the world. Examples of key populists from 3 different areas of the world will then be discussed. Finally, I will end this paper with a brief discussion about how we navigate this evolving world of politics and recommendations of things that we can do to safeguard our minds from populist rhetoric.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Causes & Effects
- Nayib Bukele
- Victor Orbán
- Donald Trump
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to clarify the reasons behind the recent surge in populism and offer strategies to safeguard democratic institutions. It will define populism, analyze its causes and effects globally, examine case studies of key populist figures, and conclude with recommendations for mitigating populist rhetoric.
- The global rise of populism and its various manifestations.
- The causes of populism, including crises, government distrust, and globalization.
- The negative impacts of populism on economic growth, democratic institutions, and human rights.
- Case studies of populist leaders: Nayib Bukele, Viktor Orbán, and Donald Trump.
- Strategies for protecting democratic institutions from populist influence.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by highlighting the recent global rise of populism, citing examples such as Donald Trump's presidency, the Brexit campaign, and the electoral successes of populist parties in several European countries. It also briefly mentions other examples, including El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The chapter introduces the paper's objective: to understand the reasons behind this rise and propose ways to protect democratic institutions. The introduction lays the groundwork for a multi-faceted analysis of populism, foreshadowing the examination of its causes, effects, and case studies in subsequent chapters.
Causes & Effects: This chapter delves into the multifaceted causes and consequences of the rise of populism. It explores how crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation, and the war in Ukraine, can create an environment ripe for populist rhetoric by fostering fear and uncertainty among citizens. Additionally, the chapter highlights the role of generalized discontent with existing government systems and the anxieties surrounding globalization in fueling populist sentiments. The negative impacts of populism are detailed, including economic downturn, increased authoritarianism, rising inequality, and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. The chapter connects these effects to the inherent anti-pluralist and anti-elitist nature of populism, illustrating how populists often undermine checks and balances, leading to further instability. A 2023 study by Funke et al. is referenced to support the assertion that populist governments often underperform economically and institutionally compared to their non-populist counterparts.
Nayib Bukele: This chapter focuses on the case study of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, who openly identifies as a "cool dictator." It highlights his unique approach to populism, characterized by his bold self-declaration of power and his claim that El Salvador was never truly democratic. The chapter examines his widespread support, which is largely attributed to his success in reducing crime rates through controversial methods, including a state of exception that led to mass arrests without due process. Despite the human rights violations associated with his policies, Bukele enjoys significant public support, facilitated by manipulation of the media and a successful narrative around crime reduction. The chapter also touches upon the concerning aspects of his presidency, including the restriction of media and private sectors, and the substantial increase in national debt, suggesting the long-term instability his policies might bring.
Victor Orbán: This chapter analyzes the case of Viktor Orbán, Hungary's long-serving Prime Minister, showcasing his strategy of consolidating power through constitutional changes, electoral manipulation, and suppression of press freedom. The chapter describes Orbán's actions, such as rewriting the constitution, changing electoral rules, and attacking the press, all aimed at securing his position and limiting opposition. It also notes his anti-immigration stance and the construction of a border wall, actions that despite raising human rights concerns, enjoy considerable public support. The chapter connects Orbán's success to his ability to fulfill promises and create a narrative of strong leadership, as well as his international support, particularly from the United States, noting his ties to Donald Trump. The analysis highlights the parallels between Orbán and Trump, suggesting a mutual reinforcement of their respective populist agendas.
Donald Trump: This chapter examines the case of Donald Trump, emphasizing his unique position as a populist leader in a country considered a strong example of democracy. The chapter focuses on Trump’s actions during his first term, highlighting his use of "us vs. them" messaging, the promises of his "Make America Great Again" campaign, and his policy decisions regarding corporate taxes, environmental regulations, judicial appointments, immigration, and relations with other countries. The chapter notes the significant polarization that occurred during his presidency, characterized by increasing division between Democrats and Republicans on a wide range of issues. The analysis concludes by emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding a potential second term, acknowledging the difficulty of predicting his future actions.
Keywords
Populism, Authoritarianism, Democracy, Globalization, Crisis, Economic Inequality, Human Rights, Media Manipulation, Case Studies, Nayib Bukele, Viktor Orbán, Donald Trump, Political Polarization, Democratic Institutions.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Causes & Effects
- Nayib Bukele
- Victor Orbán
- Donald Trump
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to clarify the reasons behind the recent surge in populism and offer strategies to safeguard democratic institutions. It will define populism, analyze its causes and effects globally, examine case studies of key populist figures, and conclude with recommendations for mitigating populist rhetoric.
- The global rise of populism and its various manifestations.
- The causes of populism, including crises, government distrust, and globalization.
- The negative impacts of populism on economic growth, democratic institutions, and human rights.
- Case studies of populist leaders: Nayib Bukele, Viktor Orbán, and Donald Trump.
- Strategies for protecting democratic institutions from populist influence.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by highlighting the recent global rise of populism, citing examples such as Donald Trump's presidency, the Brexit campaign, and the electoral successes of populist parties in several European countries. It also briefly mentions other examples, including El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The chapter introduces the paper's objective: to understand the reasons behind this rise and propose ways to protect democratic institutions. The introduction lays the groundwork for a multi-faceted analysis of populism, foreshadowing the examination of its causes, effects, and case studies in subsequent chapters.
Causes & Effects: This chapter delves into the multifaceted causes and consequences of the rise of populism. It explores how crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation, and the war in Ukraine, can create an environment ripe for populist rhetoric by fostering fear and uncertainty among citizens. Additionally, the chapter highlights the role of generalized discontent with existing government systems and the anxieties surrounding globalization in fueling populist sentiments. The negative impacts of populism are detailed, including economic downturn, increased authoritarianism, rising inequality, and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. The chapter connects these effects to the inherent anti-pluralist and anti-elitist nature of populism, illustrating how populists often undermine checks and balances, leading to further instability. A 2023 study by Funke et al. is referenced to support the assertion that populist governments often underperform economically and institutionally compared to their non-populist counterparts.
Nayib Bukele: This chapter focuses on the case study of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, who openly identifies as a "cool dictator." It highlights his unique approach to populism, characterized by his bold self-declaration of power and his claim that El Salvador was never truly democratic. The chapter examines his widespread support, which is largely attributed to his success in reducing crime rates through controversial methods, including a state of exception that led to mass arrests without due process. Despite the human rights violations associated with his policies, Bukele enjoys significant public support, facilitated by manipulation of the media and a successful narrative around crime reduction. The chapter also touches upon the concerning aspects of his presidency, including the restriction of media and private sectors, and the substantial increase in national debt, suggesting the long-term instability his policies might bring.
Victor Orbán: This chapter analyzes the case of Viktor Orbán, Hungary's long-serving Prime Minister, showcasing his strategy of consolidating power through constitutional changes, electoral manipulation, and suppression of press freedom. The chapter describes Orbán's actions, such as rewriting the constitution, changing electoral rules, and attacking the press, all aimed at securing his position and limiting opposition. It also notes his anti-immigration stance and the construction of a border wall, actions that despite raising human rights concerns, enjoy considerable public support. The chapter connects Orbán's success to his ability to fulfill promises and create a narrative of strong leadership, as well as his international support, particularly from the United States, noting his ties to Donald Trump. The analysis highlights the parallels between Orbán and Trump, suggesting a mutual reinforcement of their respective populist agendas.
Donald Trump: This chapter examines the case of Donald Trump, emphasizing his unique position as a populist leader in a country considered a strong example of democracy. The chapter focuses on Trump’s actions during his first term, highlighting his use of "us vs. them" messaging, the promises of his "Make America Great Again" campaign, and his policy decisions regarding corporate taxes, environmental regulations, judicial appointments, immigration, and relations with other countries. The chapter notes the significant polarization that occurred during his presidency, characterized by increasing division between Democrats and Republicans on a wide range of issues. The analysis concludes by emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding a potential second term, acknowledging the difficulty of predicting his future actions.
Keywords
Populism, Authoritarianism, Democracy, Globalization, Crisis, Economic Inequality, Human Rights, Media Manipulation, Case Studies, Nayib Bukele, Viktor Orbán, Donald Trump, Political Polarization, Democratic Institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main objective of the paper?
The paper aims to understand the reasons behind the recent global rise in populism and to propose strategies for protecting democratic institutions.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the global rise of populism, the causes of populism (crises, government distrust, globalization), the negative impacts of populism (economic downturn, erosion of democracy), case studies of populist leaders, and strategies to safeguard democracy.
What are some of the causes of populism discussed?
The paper identifies crises (like pandemics and wars), government distrust, and anxieties surrounding globalization as major contributing factors to the rise of populism.
What are the negative impacts of populism that the paper explores?
The paper highlights negative impacts such as economic downturn, increased authoritarianism, rising inequality, and erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
Who are the key populist leaders analyzed in the case studies?
The paper includes case studies of Nayib Bukele (El Salvador), Viktor Orbán (Hungary), and Donald Trump (United States).
What makes Nayib Bukele's approach to populism unique?
Nayib Bukele is described as a "cool dictator" and his approach is characterized by his self-declaration of power and claims that El Salvador was never truly democratic. His policies have led to crime reduction but also human rights violations.
How has Viktor Orbán consolidated power in Hungary?
Viktor Orbán has consolidated power through constitutional changes, electoral manipulation, and suppression of press freedom.
What aspects of Donald Trump's presidency are highlighted in the paper?
The paper focuses on Trump's use of "us vs. them" messaging, his "Make America Great Again" campaign promises, and his policy decisions related to corporate taxes, environmental regulations, immigration, and foreign relations. The significant polarization during his presidency is also noted.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Populism, Authoritarianism, Democracy, Globalization, Crisis, Economic Inequality, Human Rights, Media Manipulation, Case Studies, Nayib Bukele, Viktor Orbán, Donald Trump, Political Polarization, Democratic Institutions.
- Quote paper
- N. Hammons (Author), 2024, The Rise of Authoritarian Populism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1585507
