Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: So I hear that Bernie Sanders isn't really a Democrat [View all]The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)It was certainly a protest against the policies of both political parties, but lacked the other elements of populism.
There was no demagogic figure leading the movement who promise he alone has all the answers. The identification of scapegoats who were responsible for all societies problems was also lacking (as general "anti-establishment" discontent is not enough).
Populism can never be harnessed for good. It is a terrible impulse that speaks to the very worst in human nature. All populism does is to increase strife and violence, and to crowd rationality out of the political sphere.
Every populist movement that has gain power has gone authoritarian/totalitarian. And all the most dastardly regiemes--the ones who've committed 100s of millions of political murders have all had populist roots.
Populism is based on manipulating rage and fanning political irrationality. Liberalism, at its core, requires political rationality as the operative condition. Which makes populism the greatest possible threat to liberal democracy and the traditional values of the Democratic Party.
As liberals, nothing should cause more grave concern than a rise of worldwide populism.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden