From Pine View Farm

Popularizing Populism 0

“Populism” in American politics has meant many things, from legitimate reform movements intended to improve the economic status of the “populace” to those designed to appeal to its prejudice and bigotry. Lately the latter meaning has been dominant, so much so that in much of what passes for discourse, the former meaning has been forgotten.

In a longish article at Psychology Today Blogs, Eyal Winter considers the latter meaning–the appeal to prejudice and bigotry–and the tactics that its exponents use to attract, keep, and mobilize their followers. Here’s tiny little bit:

And what about the populist leader? In all the countries where he succeeds he always uses the same dual strategy: On one hand convincing his supporters that his opponents are looking down upon them, and on the other hand generate (sic) sufficient anger among his opponents so that their protest can serve him as raw material for his insult industry. Trump has always enjoyed the demonstrations against him. . . . He knew that they increase the support among those who already support him, that it would hence increase their election turnout, and hence his chances to be reelected.

I commend his piece to your attention. It is a timely read in these viral times.

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