The Populist Manifesto

Given the current prevalence of both left and right wing populism, this volume invites readers to stand back and provides a provocative conceptual analysis of the term that gives readers a much more refined understanding of the phenomenon. The title is somewhat misleading: a number of authors emphasise that populism is characterised in terms of logic or form rather than content. It is certainly closely connected with identity, and in a right-wing manifestation with ethno-nationalism at a time of 'hegemonic breakdown' of the neoliberal consensus. Populism arises at times of crisis and is always adversarial, most generally casting the people against the elite, which may be based on wealth or institutions (e.g. EU and Brexit). A chapter on populism as myth focuses on the leader as hero identifying and vanquishing the villain. However, conservatives tend to look backwards and the direction of polarised antagonism is downwards (think of the Mexican wall and the focus on borders) while progressives look forwards and their direction of antagonism is upwards to capitalism and globalisation. Righteous anger is channelled into remedying perceived injustice in both instances. Another interesting almost archetypal frame is that of hurt, loss (often of control), betrayal and redemption. Reason and passion are present in all political discourse, although emotion is frequently belittled in one's opposition. The final chapters lean in the direction of an emerging left-wing environmental populism, bringing together form and content in a similar way to Naomi Klein. Neoliberalism has failed to address our environmental challenges, so some form of green new deal becomes a more realistic prospect, also representing inclusion and a concern for equality as well as a redefinition of work. An important and timely volume.