Among scholars of political science it is deemed not worth asking whether a political movement in democracy is populist or not, it is only a question to what extent. Consensus has been established also on populism being understood as a pseudo- and post-democratic pathology of politics in western democracies produced by the public perception that democratic ideals are corrupted. So it seems worth discussing what extent of populism in the democratic discourse is a danger to democracy itself. As Francisco Panizza declared: “Taken to the extreme populism descends into totalitarianism”. What is an extreme of populism? And when does it start to be effective in the sense that it threatens a democratic system? The most prominent failure of democratic systems in modern history are the cases of the Weimar republic being taken over by the national socialists and the rise of fascism in the Italian republic after World War I, both examples of societies being in the transition phase from an authoritarian to a parliamentarian political system. For reasons of preserving clarity of argument, the latter example, Italian fascism and its leader, Benito Mussolini, shall serve as a reference point in order to point out what ideological ingredients and methods of communication of a totalitarian political movement are per definition “populist” and are able to gain popular support under specific political and historical conditions.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Populism
- The construct of people and the antagonizing of the political landscape while naming 'people' and 'other'
- Operationalization of equivalential chains with the creation or absorption of empty and floating signifiers
- The specific historical situation or ‘organic crisis' which enables the establishment of the populist discourse
- The characteristics of populist representation and identification in the respective leader symbolizing the people
- Fascism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The essay aims to explore the relationship between populism and fascism, particularly through the case study of Benito Mussolini and the rise of Italian fascism. It analyzes the ideological and communicative strategies employed by fascist movements to gain popular support, examining how these strategies resonate with core populist principles.
- The characteristics of populist movements and their use of symbolic language and anti-elite rhetoric
- The historical context and societal conditions that facilitated the rise of fascism in Italy
- The methods of communication and propaganda employed by Mussolini to cultivate a fascist identity
- The intersection of populist and elitist elements in the ideology and practice of Italian fascism
- The potential for extreme forms of populism to lead to totalitarian regimes.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Populism
This section provides a working definition of populism, breaking down its key elements: the construction of an 'us vs. them' dichotomy between the people and the elite, the use of symbolic language to unify disparate demands, the role of historical crises in fueling populist movements, and the importance of a charismatic leader to embody the will of the people.
Fascism
This chapter explores the historical context of Italian fascism, focusing on the social and political conditions that allowed for its emergence after World War I. It examines the fascist ideology and its key tenets, including its anti-liberal, anti-Marxist, and anti-establishment rhetoric. The chapter further analyzes Mussolini's leadership style and his skillful use of propaganda, symbolism, and mass mobilization to solidify his power.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay centers around the concept of populism, its relationship to fascism, and the specific historical case of Italian fascism. It examines key terms like 'elite,' 'people,' 'general will,' 'signifiers,' 'organic crisis,' 'leadership,' 'propaganda,' and 'symbolism'. The analysis also incorporates themes of nationalism, anti-liberalism, anti-Marxism, social unrest, and the role of historical events in shaping political movements.
- Quote paper
- Johannes Wiedemann (Author), 2010, Il Duce. Populism as Fascism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/162294
