Populism: A Beginner's Guide

Description

2016 witnessed two of the most momentous events in political history: the UK's unexpected vote to leave the EU - Brexit - as well as the election of Donald Trump. Both events were framed by experts and the media in terms of the emergence of "populism" as a key feature of contemporary political life. Notwithstanding the fact that the "populist surge" seems to have lost momentum with the failure of Le Pen and Wilders to get elected in respectively France and Holland, the topic evinces huge interest and a continual flurry of media commentary, documentaries and academic conferences. This is the definitive guide to understanding what, and why is happening in the world today.

Simon Tormey is Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney. He is the author of many books and articles on contemporary politics including Anti-Capitalism: A Beginner's Guide, which is also published by Oneworld. He appears regularly in the broadcast and print media commenting on British, European and EU politics.

'In this provocative, well-written new book, Tormey argues that populism can be both a threat to democratic values and process, but equally a means for the expansion of democracy... Essential reading for those seeking to understand one of the most important, but often misunderstood, political phenomena of the twenty-first century.' -- Duncan McDonnell, Professor of Politics, Griffith University 'An important dissenting voice in today's chorus of populist critics, Tormey casts populism in a new light, inviting readers to consider whether it might not be a threat to democracy but rather something democracy needs for its renewal.' -- Lisa Disch, Professor of Political Science, University of Michigan 'The world is changing. Democracy is under threat. Simon Tormey's Populism: A Beginner's Guide provides a wonderfully sophisticated yet beautifully accessible guide to these changing times.' -- Matthew Flinders, Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield, and President of the Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom 'While we all think we know what populism means, if we dig a little deeper we find ourselves lost in definitional problems and ambiguities... Tormey navigates through these...with admirable clarity and perception, drawing upon historical and contemporary examples of populist movements, and exploring key factors that explain their rise.' -- Saul Newman, Professor of Political Philosophy, Flinders University