The Banality and Extremism of Populism: Analysis of Dangers
The Banality and Extremism of Populism: Analysis of Dangers
Author(s): Daniel SmilovSubject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Фондация за хуманитарни и социални изследвания - София
Keywords: banality; populism; extremism; democracy; danger; equality; militant democracy
Summary/Abstract: No matter how we define populism, we should mention one of its basic assumptions: that the will of the people should be fully represented in the political process. The will of the people should not be frustrated, disregarded or reinterpreted by representatives and intermediaries. When we take into account this basic assumption, it seems that populism is the political ideal of adequate and full representation of the people – and in our analysis we should take into account this kind of normative claim. But when we take it into account, it becomes apparent that if we ask the question of whether populism is dangerous or not, we will get very contextual answers because this depends very much on the will of the people in a particular political environment and in a particular society.
Journal: Критика и хуманизъм
- Issue Year: 2007
- Issue No: 23_EN
- Page Range: 145-148
- Page Count: 4
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF