Populism, Authoritarianism & Nationalism

Question 1

Authoritarianism & Characteristics (4)

Answer 1

Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by

1. The rejection of political plurality
2. The use of a strong central power to preserve the political status quo,
3. Reductions in the rule of law,
4. Separation of powers, and anti-democratic voting

Question 2

Populism & Common Aspects (4)

Answer 2

A political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups
Common Aspects:
1. System unfair - big business rigging the system against working class
- Politics could be simple – strong man outsider/populist leader is solution
2. Nationalist/opposed to globalization
3. Fearful/sense of threats/Anger at change/others
- Too many immigrants
4. Defend racial/gendered hierarchy – ‘white’ identity politics

Question 3

Nationalism

Answer 3

Nationalism is an idea and movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state.

Nationalism tends to promote the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation’s sovereignty over its homeland to create a nation state

Question 4

Blacklash

Answer 4

a

Question 5

White Identity Politics

Answer 5

Defend Racial/Gendered hierarchy

Question 6

Black Lives Matter: 2020

Answer 6

Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement protesting against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against black people

Question 7

Types of Populism (3)

Answer 7

1. Cultural Populism
2. Socio-economic Populism
3. Anti-establishment Populism

Question 8

Cultural Populism & Key Themes (5)

Answer 8

Us (usually white and/or male identity politics) vs Them (Ethnic/racial minorities, cosmopolitan elites, feminists)

Key Themes

1. Rapidity of change,
2. Traditional values,
3. Religion, law and order,
4. Nationalism,
5. Anti Immigrant, Anti PC

Question 9

Socio-economic Populism & Key Themes (4)

Answer 9

Us (Hard-working, ‘real’ citizens, working class) vs Them (Big business, capitalists, foreign forces, globalization)

Key Themes

1. Anti-Capitalism
2. Globalization
3. Solidarity
4. Pro unions and protectionist

Question 10

Anti-establishment Populism & Key Themes (3)

Answer 10

Us (Hard working, honest workers in state run by special interests, corrupt politicians, mass media) vs Them (Political elites, lobbyists, the ‘swamp’, traditional parties)

Key Themes
1. Purging the state of 
corruption
2. Draining the "swamp"
3. Lock up politicians, fake media

Question 11

Authoritarianism/Illiberalism (5)

Answer 11

1. Attack independent institutions as illegitimate/biased
2. Call political adversaries ‘enemies’ should be locked up
3. Scapegoat minorities/immigrants/people who are different
4. Reinforce racialized/gender hierarchy /attack political correctness
5. Support police/army and lethal use of force for law and order

Question 12

Illiberal Democracy

Answer 12

A governing system in which, although elections take place, citizens are cut off from knowledge about the activities of those who exercise real power because of the lack of civil liberties; thus it is not an open society