Like lemmings, the followers of Melenchron are about to commit the same suicidal mistake and elect Marine Le Pen as the followers of Bernie made when they sat out our election and elected Donald Trump. Melenchron, the Trotskyite candidate of La Gauche, lost in the first round. And now, his brain-dead supporters declare they will take back all their marbles and go home. Oh well, as the French say: "Quand on est con, c'est pour la vie."
1
"In France, Mr. Macron matched Ms. Le Pen’s strident Euroskepticism and anti-refugee language with an unashamed passion for continental unity and multiculturalism." Right, continenatal "unity" and "multiculturalism" will get this ex-investment-bankster far--the very one responsible for the bankrupt neoliberal economic policies of Hollande. "Liberals" like McDonald Gibson continue to miss the point: namely, millions of people have been immiserated by the EU, ECB, World Bank, IMF, austerity etc. and they are expressing their frustration by voting _against_ the parties of the status quo. The French will vote for Macron despite their contempt for him and for what he stands for--and because they cannot stomach (yet) voting for a crypto-Nazi. (And because they have a bit more sense than Americna voters.) At least Hillary wasn't an ex-investment banker, but she still managed to lose. Le Pen can't win the election, but Macron...could certainly lose it. And after five years of same old same old, Le Pen will likely be all the stronger. Melenchon was a much better bet. It's not the same, but just as Bernie was the much better bet in the U.S. But the bought Democratic party and bought and paid for media--including the NYT--wouldn't have it. So you have Trump instead. Good work.
4
Until the press stops giving the right wing a reward by hyping every Muslim shooting like it was the apocalypse, they will continue to win.
Some drunk white dude shoots up a birthday party in San Diego, all minorities, and it gets no national coverage. A Muslim does the same thing 6,000 miles away and the networks pre-empt their scheduled programming for hours on end.
Some drunk white dude shoots up a birthday party in San Diego, all minorities, and it gets no national coverage. A Muslim does the same thing 6,000 miles away and the networks pre-empt their scheduled programming for hours on end.
1
The Daily Telegraph reports youth unemployment as follows:
Greece 45.2%
Spain 41.5%
Italy 35.2%
...
France 23.6%
Go on! Tell me the "EU" is working! I like a good joke.
Or are you going to call me a fascist for telling the truth?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/04/30/black-rule-youth-unemploy...
Greece 45.2%
Spain 41.5%
Italy 35.2%
...
France 23.6%
Go on! Tell me the "EU" is working! I like a good joke.
Or are you going to call me a fascist for telling the truth?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/04/30/black-rule-youth-unemploy...
9
People are tribal and one can be protective of their heritage without embracing hate. Many who the press throw under the Bus with a broad brush simply do not want to lose their heritage under a swamp of migrants- legal and illegal.
8
GOD is talking "Isolationism" of Populism, the destroyer:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/28/orca-killer-whales-k...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/28/orca-killer-whales-k...
The Left's immigration policies equal national suicide. "Being open to the world" is just a euphemism; the Third World is flooding into our countries to such an extent that we will become minorities in our own land within decades. That is nothing but genocide against Europeans by the global elite. When the retribution for this historical crime finally comes, the traitors of the Left will wish that they had never been born.
7
Expelling the migrant/refugee criminals, religiously inspired or not, may be the first step in integrating these people into European society. Citizens of all political persuasions in almost any country in Europe can probably get behind that. It might be romantic to believe an accused migrant is a present day Jean Valjean, but it's doubtful.
4
Defending borders, language and culture is now "far-right?"
That is why populism hasn't peaked in Europe. Despite the examples of the "poor immigrant" or "refugee" Ms. McDonald-Gibson, like the one about Greece: -
"And anyone under the illusion that the values of human rights, tolerance and dignity for all — enshrined in European Union treaties — can be taken for granted should visit the camps in Greece where around 62,000 refugees are trapped, many of them in dire conditions.)"
should be vey scared. Scared because she ignores the strain and cost in money, services and blood that they have brought with them. Most of them are economic migrants, benefit shopping among the Europeans. And they fight among each other. And a number are terrorists. Let this country-wrecker live in Calais, near the illegal refugee camp and she'll sing a different tune very quickly.
And NYT, please stop the pro-illegal immigrant Op-Eds and articles. They are just propaganda at this point. Language, borders and culture matter to the majority, and the idea that the Western world can absorb the non-Western world, or has any obligation to do so, is wrong. Except in the eyes of the globalist, open-borders elite like the NYT and this writer.
That is why populism hasn't peaked in Europe. Despite the examples of the "poor immigrant" or "refugee" Ms. McDonald-Gibson, like the one about Greece: -
"And anyone under the illusion that the values of human rights, tolerance and dignity for all — enshrined in European Union treaties — can be taken for granted should visit the camps in Greece where around 62,000 refugees are trapped, many of them in dire conditions.)"
should be vey scared. Scared because she ignores the strain and cost in money, services and blood that they have brought with them. Most of them are economic migrants, benefit shopping among the Europeans. And they fight among each other. And a number are terrorists. Let this country-wrecker live in Calais, near the illegal refugee camp and she'll sing a different tune very quickly.
And NYT, please stop the pro-illegal immigrant Op-Eds and articles. They are just propaganda at this point. Language, borders and culture matter to the majority, and the idea that the Western world can absorb the non-Western world, or has any obligation to do so, is wrong. Except in the eyes of the globalist, open-borders elite like the NYT and this writer.
9
Excellent Op-Ed, but the U.S.A. could and should contribute to European unity by ceasing its endless war on Europe:
The extortion racket against European banks and corporations (that have enriched the U.S. Treasury by over $ 100 billion and denied the E.U. an additional $ 1000 billion through Opportunity Cost in lost business with nations ‘unfriendly’ to the U.S.) began with the U.S.’s attempt to seize control of the entire Middle East: Major European banks and corporations have been forced to dismiss their own top managers for having acted in accordance with European and U.N. laws but in contravention of U.S. Law. Not one single European politician has dared to object to the U.S.A.’s unilateral application of its laws to their nations: Merkel, Hollande and the rest are without Principle or Backbone. They are spineless slaves of a foreign power. The horrendous refugee crisis is just one of the many consequences of their cowardice in sheepishly agreeing to bomb Libya and Syria. The sole, willing European ‘enabler’ is the U.K., a U.S. slave by its own admission, that itself risks breaking up as Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland choose E.U. re-integration over U.S. serfdom. The U.K. prefers “shared values with the U.S.” to the protection and strengthening of Europe. Those oft-repeated “shared values” are friendly dictatorships, Wars of Choice, armament exports, the Dollar:Sterling Axis against the Euro, “Safe Haven” status and state-sponsored money-laundering.
The extortion racket against European banks and corporations (that have enriched the U.S. Treasury by over $ 100 billion and denied the E.U. an additional $ 1000 billion through Opportunity Cost in lost business with nations ‘unfriendly’ to the U.S.) began with the U.S.’s attempt to seize control of the entire Middle East: Major European banks and corporations have been forced to dismiss their own top managers for having acted in accordance with European and U.N. laws but in contravention of U.S. Law. Not one single European politician has dared to object to the U.S.A.’s unilateral application of its laws to their nations: Merkel, Hollande and the rest are without Principle or Backbone. They are spineless slaves of a foreign power. The horrendous refugee crisis is just one of the many consequences of their cowardice in sheepishly agreeing to bomb Libya and Syria. The sole, willing European ‘enabler’ is the U.K., a U.S. slave by its own admission, that itself risks breaking up as Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland choose E.U. re-integration over U.S. serfdom. The U.K. prefers “shared values with the U.S.” to the protection and strengthening of Europe. Those oft-repeated “shared values” are friendly dictatorships, Wars of Choice, armament exports, the Dollar:Sterling Axis against the Euro, “Safe Haven” status and state-sponsored money-laundering.
2
It is fascinating how well-informed Americans are about all things European, or at least they think they are, judging from this comment section. I wish perception matched reality. What do you guys know about Europe and its problems? How many languages do you speak, how many European newspapers do you read? I know I will be branded as elitist and condescending for saying this, but folks, don't believe everything you hear on Fox news.
1
Being one of the citizens living in a member state of the European Union (one of the smallest states), I strongly disagree with the writer in many points. First of all, the writer unnecessarily divides the political field into two extremes: pro EU vs. pro nation state. This should not be the case. EU is a tool, not necessarily mean in itself. Even if one is against Brussels bureaucracy, one can still be pro-democracy and pro-western. Some problems can be resolved in EU level, but many should be kept eniterly in the national level.
Secondly, EU member states do not share language or history. When Mr. Macron speaks passionately about EU, he probably means that France equals EU. For me, as a citizen of a small member state, it sounds more like we all should learn french and do whatever Mr. Macron or whoever French president says.
I am pro-European citizen and against Mrs. Le Pen. But I can very well understand why her message resonates well.
Secondly, EU member states do not share language or history. When Mr. Macron speaks passionately about EU, he probably means that France equals EU. For me, as a citizen of a small member state, it sounds more like we all should learn french and do whatever Mr. Macron or whoever French president says.
I am pro-European citizen and against Mrs. Le Pen. But I can very well understand why her message resonates well.
6
I am pro-European too.
The "EU" is not Europe.
It is because I love Europe that I want the "EU" to be dismantled.
The "EU" is not Europe.
It is because I love Europe that I want the "EU" to be dismantled.
6
The battle today is traditionally sovereign states vs corporate globalism. The key issue is who has the rights to control economic policy. By creating trade deals and structures such as the European Union the globalist have created a buffer that eliminates the Ability for the average citizen to have any say or vote in economic policy. The result of course is the rich get richer and the rest get the bill.
10
Wrong. Don't mistake the EU for the US chamber of commerce. It isn't perfect by a long shot but it isn't entirely in the hands of big business lobbyists like the US. There are strong social and cultural aspects of the EU that Americans could only dream of if they had half a mind.
1
I agree with the author that Populism has not peaked.
I think with every new terrorist attack that happens in Europe, populism will see added strength.
There are many many people who dislike the "new normal". Claiming populism is over is like claiming that terrorism in the EU has peaked also. Which it has not. They are inextricably tied together.
I think with every new terrorist attack that happens in Europe, populism will see added strength.
There are many many people who dislike the "new normal". Claiming populism is over is like claiming that terrorism in the EU has peaked also. Which it has not. They are inextricably tied together.
5
As long as the EU remains wedded to debt deflation (aka austerity) and neoliberal "structural reforms," right-wing populism is not going away anytime soon. If Germany does not agree to domestic expansion and EU fiscal integration (banking union, Euro bonds), Macron will just be a rerun of the hapless Hollande.
It's welcome that liberal politicians are actively embracing progressive rhetoric, but in the end it's "the economy, stupid!"
It's welcome that liberal politicians are actively embracing progressive rhetoric, but in the end it's "the economy, stupid!"
I have worked in France every summer for last twenty-four years except one and I have never met an ethnic French person who wants an open Continent, if by "open Continent" you mean unrestricted access to it from refugees, terrorists posing as refugees, economic aspirants from Easter Europe or Africa or the Middle East, and the like. In fact, most French are against such a notion. If by "open Continent" you mean a European Union in which Europeans can travel and work without visas, most French don't even want this. They want to preserve France, the French ethnic stock, the French language and culture, and so on. They don't want to be overwhelmed by others any more than others want to be overwhelmed by another group, particularly those who consider French culture inferior out of misguided cultural arrogance that prevents them from assimilating and sees some of the radicalizing to the point of killing and attempt to kill massive numbers of French citizens. This is what they want, and the attempt to denigrate and shame this desire ("dark clouds") for cultural preservation is, thank goodness, becoming more ineffectual by the minute.
9
Maybe you work every summer in the North or Southeast of France? It's like asking whites in the South if they like Trump and his Wall.
Complacency should be avoided, but Ms. McDonald-Gibson generalizes too much from Little England. She writes: "But this kind of language was utterly absent from the Remain campaign before the Brexit referendum, where leaders were too embarrassed or fearful to show such emotional support for the European Union and instead tried to make their case using facts and figures."
There's the problem with Little England. Better together might have been OK to keep the Scots, but with the EU, for too many in England it has always been keeping score. England has never been quite sure it wants to be in Europe--especially if it can't control.
The idea of the European Union is about a union better for all.
There's the problem with Little England. Better together might have been OK to keep the Scots, but with the EU, for too many in England it has always been keeping score. England has never been quite sure it wants to be in Europe--especially if it can't control.
The idea of the European Union is about a union better for all.
"England has never been quite sure it wants to be in Europe"
The UK never wanted to be in the "EU" which is why Heath tricked us into joining by calling it the "Common Market."
Brexit was pre-programmed from the day we joined.
Be glad there was almost no violence.
The UK never wanted to be in the "EU" which is why Heath tricked us into joining by calling it the "Common Market."
Brexit was pre-programmed from the day we joined.
Be glad there was almost no violence.
2
Immigrants are once more used as a target, but the problem of Europe is the EU. Greece was treated as a colony of Germany during the financial crisis, the French president was summoned to Berlin to explain why the national deficit was above 3%. Even if all muslin immigrants are gone from Europe that will not save Europe. It will still be Greater Germany.
So please stop focusing on the wrong problem.
So please stop focusing on the wrong problem.
2
This is to be expected .
We re in the last throws of nationalism, misogyny and racism. The people that have had privilege since the dawn of time are angry that they are fast becoming the minority.
It will take perhaps one more generation to break their bonds, but make no mistake, it is happening. There is nothing they can do about it.
A good thing.
We re in the last throws of nationalism, misogyny and racism. The people that have had privilege since the dawn of time are angry that they are fast becoming the minority.
It will take perhaps one more generation to break their bonds, but make no mistake, it is happening. There is nothing they can do about it.
A good thing.
Much distruction is possible (probable with Trump?) beforehand. And I am less optimistic of the intelligence of the average human
"privilege since the dawn of time"? Wouldn't that be the Mesopotamians?
1
In your funky dreams.
3
Dear Char: Until Progressive ideals--integration, tolerance, equality-- are installed and maintained in ALL the countries of the world and not just in western ones, we will continue to have push back from the so-called populists. And the populists are correct: most of the countries whence immigrants and refugees stem from are led by despots and dictators who treat their people horribly. This needs to cease, and the world needs to make it cease. Instead of expecting western countries to pick up the tab for freedom and equality, these other countries need to "progress" into the 21st century by becoming more "western".
5
The vast majority of refugees are fleeing from countries the West is destroying in the name of "make it cease."
Certainly some flee bad government, and certainly we should help ourselves by helping them better that. However, our current course of making it cease is in fact counterproductive in the extreme.
Certainly some flee bad government, and certainly we should help ourselves by helping them better that. However, our current course of making it cease is in fact counterproductive in the extreme.
"Europe’s next crucial election will be held in Germany in September." You make me despair, if 8 June is not that crucial election. But it is, where the formerly centre-right Conservative Party in England (in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland politics are different) openly uses far right tactics of inciting hatred, fear and channelling frustration to vote for cuts to immigration and an end even to the international human rights treaties, in favour of "British human rights" for Conservative voters. They relentlessly monster benefits claimants, to make the struggling poor hate those even poorer than they.
Populism here promises nothing, but divides people against each other in the interests of the wealthy elites, using our fear, anger and despair to cement Conservative control, as they eviscerate our public services and regulations for public protection. The illusions here are as bad as those sold to Trump voters. The result is kleptocracy.
Populism here promises nothing, but divides people against each other in the interests of the wealthy elites, using our fear, anger and despair to cement Conservative control, as they eviscerate our public services and regulations for public protection. The illusions here are as bad as those sold to Trump voters. The result is kleptocracy.
The "EU" is about nationalism.
"EU"-fanatics want a "European" nation. They already have a "parliament", a flag, a national anthemn, a supreme court and "EU"-passports.
Now they want further integration including a "European" army.
And they don't care how many "citizens of Europe" don't want it.
They are creating a situation which might make it possible for a European Gadaffi, Julius Caesar, Napoleon etc. to grab power and turn the whole thing into a full-blown totalitarian state.
They might be producing a situation which will lead to violent uprisings and wars of independence.
I am so glad that the UK is getting out.
I want a full British all-day Brexit. And all night too.
I want total independence and the complete restoration of our sovereignty.
Theresa May needs to ensure the food supply. Austrians have been building massive greenhouses and substantioally reduced the import of tomatoes from Italy and Spain.
In the right greenhouses we could grow everything in East Anglia: tomatoes, bananas, aubergines, Indian spices etc.
Once we are out we could build a better, sensible relationship with the continentals,which I believe should involve making German the first foreign language in schools and teaching languages better and teaching other subjects partly through comprehensiion exercises on foreign languages.
What we don't need and what the majority of continentals don't need is the "EU".
"EU"-fanatics want a "European" nation. They already have a "parliament", a flag, a national anthemn, a supreme court and "EU"-passports.
Now they want further integration including a "European" army.
And they don't care how many "citizens of Europe" don't want it.
They are creating a situation which might make it possible for a European Gadaffi, Julius Caesar, Napoleon etc. to grab power and turn the whole thing into a full-blown totalitarian state.
They might be producing a situation which will lead to violent uprisings and wars of independence.
I am so glad that the UK is getting out.
I want a full British all-day Brexit. And all night too.
I want total independence and the complete restoration of our sovereignty.
Theresa May needs to ensure the food supply. Austrians have been building massive greenhouses and substantioally reduced the import of tomatoes from Italy and Spain.
In the right greenhouses we could grow everything in East Anglia: tomatoes, bananas, aubergines, Indian spices etc.
Once we are out we could build a better, sensible relationship with the continentals,which I believe should involve making German the first foreign language in schools and teaching languages better and teaching other subjects partly through comprehensiion exercises on foreign languages.
What we don't need and what the majority of continentals don't need is the "EU".
6
Putin's plan to flood Europe with refugees seems to be proceeding apace. He had hoped that by stirring up conflict in the middle east that oil prices could be be increased. he's getting the first part right. In spades.
2
Brilliantly keeping those sanctions tight to offset any gain. Genious
That is true, not yet peaked. Brexit is a floating issue, not really born yet. When it does, consequences will be a bright turmoil on cause of Populism. Neither a EU populist candidate was appoint the palace of ruling yet. Wilder failed but gained a little momentum. Le Pen is still on the run, struggling. Not peaked yet. Neither Trump peaked yet, his presidency still in the childhood stage, although definitely showing too much draw backs of a vigorous destructing Populism in a short time.
But populism peaked already in other parts of the world, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, and Philippine, least to say peaked bloodshed.
Who wants Populism after it is proved experimentally? Only the fool, blind minded.
But populism peaked already in other parts of the world, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, and Philippine, least to say peaked bloodshed.
Who wants Populism after it is proved experimentally? Only the fool, blind minded.
The UK is not like Turkey and I don't think many Brits want it to be.
Brexit is not about "populism".
It is about freeing the UK from a monster which is destroying Europe.
Brexit is not about "populism".
It is about freeing the UK from a monster which is destroying Europe.
1
Europe is suffering from a perfect storm: The failure to have a joint effort to manage the massive influx of refugees and immigrants and the complete failure of the Monetary Union to curb southern Europe's excessive fiscal policy. The EU has become the scapegoat for everybody, when in fact it is the national governments who, while stressing the importance of an European Union, have shown no willingness to allow for an effective and enforceable pan-European policy on both issues. We are stuck in a mess between sovereign states and a federal union.
4
Here is another article that talks about the rise of right-wing nationalism, but doesn't mention income inequality. The root cause of all this discontent is the inability of the average person to earn a living wage. We didn't have these problems when the average worker could live a good life and send his kids to college. Neoliberal economic policies that deify the Market and hugely reward a few players, while the rest scrap over the droppings of the ultra rich are to blame. And this is all getting worse because of automation that is eliminating more and more jobs that the average person can do. Solve the problem of income inequality and all the other problems will go away.
8
The attraction of "populist" fringe parties and candidates will start to ebb in the West, when the mainstream parties start to recognize and ameliorate the concerns of the voters that are starting to turn to them in droves.
-There is nothing inherently wrong with loving your country and it's traditional culture; it's called Patriotism
- Immigrants need to assimilate
- Brussels & Washington DC do not know best
- People need good paying jobs not government handouts
-There is nothing inherently wrong with loving your country and it's traditional culture; it's called Patriotism
- Immigrants need to assimilate
- Brussels & Washington DC do not know best
- People need good paying jobs not government handouts
8
I don't know about populism, but ignorance and anti-intellectualism continues to enjoy a rising popularity.
Why does the media insist on using "populism" as an euphemism for ultra-nationalism, anti-intellectualism, and downright fascism?
2
Populism is the opposite of elitism, that is rule by elites. These elites disappointed the majority as they could deliver the goodies only to themselves.
The elites need to change, the question is in what direction. The choice is enlightened capitalism and liberal democracy or extremism of either right or left.
Currently, the elites have decided and voters followed to the right as elections in Poland, Hungary, UK and the United States demonstrate. On the other hand the right lost in the Netherlands and Austria.
The elites need to change, the question is in what direction. The choice is enlightened capitalism and liberal democracy or extremism of either right or left.
Currently, the elites have decided and voters followed to the right as elections in Poland, Hungary, UK and the United States demonstrate. On the other hand the right lost in the Netherlands and Austria.
2
It seems telling that the rjse of tbe right and erosion of support for the EU coincides with the loss of WW2 vets. The agony of selling bananas in kilos in England didn't really seem like such a big deal when you were regularly eating a meal with a survivor of WW2.
I'm not convinced that the European union, or American politicians and voters, have tried hard to imagine the brutality of Assad (a leader who has destroyed his own country to keep hold of it) or Erdogan.
Ah, these Syrians and Egyptians, they're foreign people. Brown.
Tribalism clarifies everything.
What we each don't fully realize is that we, or our sons and daughters (and grandchildren?)
might be killed in WWIII.
Yeah, I know that sounds ridiculous. After all, we're protected from Europe and Saudi Arabia (usually) by a couple of oceans.
And our troops won't be suffocated in 1917 muddy bloody trenches or evaporated by an atomic bomb in Hiroshima. We're past that. Now we all have drones.
NOBODY CAN NEGOTIATE FAIR INRERNATIONAL ALLIANCES UNLESS HE OR SHE CAN IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE (even brown people) LOVE THEIR CHILDREN AND HOPE THEY WILL NOT DIE.
Ah, these Syrians and Egyptians, they're foreign people. Brown.
Tribalism clarifies everything.
What we each don't fully realize is that we, or our sons and daughters (and grandchildren?)
might be killed in WWIII.
Yeah, I know that sounds ridiculous. After all, we're protected from Europe and Saudi Arabia (usually) by a couple of oceans.
And our troops won't be suffocated in 1917 muddy bloody trenches or evaporated by an atomic bomb in Hiroshima. We're past that. Now we all have drones.
NOBODY CAN NEGOTIATE FAIR INRERNATIONAL ALLIANCES UNLESS HE OR SHE CAN IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE (even brown people) LOVE THEIR CHILDREN AND HOPE THEY WILL NOT DIE.
Let's ask two very basic questions. First, how many immigrants is to many? Second, what if, just if, these hundreds of thousands (millions?) don't assimilate into the native cultures and create an ethic culture of their own?
Once again, the same inaccurate (and journalistically lazy) misuse of the term "populism"?
"Populism" is support for the concerns of ordinary people and policies/politicians advocating this.
Populism is NOT right-wing extremism, nationalism, racism, jingoism, xenophobia and/or financial irresponsibility!
Is it REALLY so hard to be accurate? We really expect better from the Times!
Language matters! Ask Orwell or look at Trump's abuse of language and logic.
"Populism" is support for the concerns of ordinary people and policies/politicians advocating this.
Populism is NOT right-wing extremism, nationalism, racism, jingoism, xenophobia and/or financial irresponsibility!
Is it REALLY so hard to be accurate? We really expect better from the Times!
Language matters! Ask Orwell or look at Trump's abuse of language and logic.
40
It is, indeed, a matter of definition. Yours sound reasonable. However, in the European political parlance, "populist" has historically been used to describe policies and politicians that tell people what they want to hear, regardless of whether they are "right" or even feasible. So, populists are the ones that assure people that is perfectly feasible to reduce taxes, expand public expenditure, give everybody a "citizenship income", etc.
That is one definition of populism. But more thorough descriptions include the notion of a righteously aggrieved underclass rising up against entrenched and corrupt elites. Populism doesn't merely support "ordinary people." First, it defines who is "ordinary" and who is "elite." Then it sics them against one another.
yes, this needs to be said....the media are making populism sound negative by identifying it with Trump and rw candidates in Europe. It really means egalitarian, instead of elitist. In the US where the financial elites fund elections and direct party policy, populism is the antidote to restore democracy. But it's being co opted and distorted.
"But there is also plenty to celebrate for people who believe that Europe will be safer and more prosperous if countries work together and keep their doors open to the world, rather than retreat into nationalism and isolationism. And there are lessons to be learned. The biggest winners have been those leaders who embraced liberal, pro-European Union values with the same passion and emotion as the populists." This is but another blanket left-wing propaganda statement based on value judgments that no intelligent person accepts unequivocally. "Nationalism" used to be called patriotism and national cultures were rich with diverse traditions based on a common heritage. Yet this one-sided rant with its value-lite prattle has become the norm in the New York Times which has opted to claim the carpet-bagging rhetoric of the moment into an anti-right spewing of distaste.
15
Funnily enough, this argument was also used against ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the United States. Had the "nationalist" leaders of each state had their way, there would be no country to be patriotic about.
Tolerating the intolerance of Muslim immigrants is not in the best interest of women, gays and others, including those of Jewish ancestry.
33
I haven't noticed much intolerance from Muslim immigrants. The only intolerance I have seen lately are from people who are interested in the welfare of women, LGBT people, and other minorities only when it comes to keeping out Muslims.
Thank you. As a liberal I do not support ideologies that diminish everyone who is not like me. Nor, as a liberal, do I deny free speech rights to disgusting people. We really need to take liberalism back from affluent college sophomores.
I don't think anyone is talking about tolerating intolerance outside of the US, where tolerating right-wing prejudice has become government policy.
The relevance and power of opinion is often a function of its pedigree. Just look at the title of the author's book, and you can see why this piece is biased against popular opinion against migrants and Muslim refugees. The new derogatory term for popular opinion of the masses is "populism". If one (in this case, a very large part of the population) is against full-length body veils, shariah, honor killings, anti-Semitism, anti-Christian and "Islamization" of the society, then one is labeled a "populist", almost as damning as a "racist" or "misogynist".
18
But did you notice how you slipped in the equivalence of "populism" and "popular opinion"? As if prejudice is somehow valid if the opinion is "popular". And as someone living in Europe, I can tell you that the rise of "popular" opinion against Muslims has nothing to do with Sharia or burqas and everything to do with the growing realization among middle-class Whites that the post War bubble has popped.
No just plain racist and KKK style white supremacists would describe your views of Muslims just fine. There is no campaign for Saudi style despotism By Muslims in Europe or America, and this despotism is itself kept ironically in power by US Cent Com. The real hatred and intolerance that threatens America comes from the same demographic which enslaved African Americans, committed genocide against Native Americans and ethnically cleansed Asian and Hispanic Americans and has yet to pay reparations. I will let you look in the mirror to figure out which non Native American demographic I am referring to.
The media has allowed politicians who are anything but populist to hijack Populism for their own ends. Eugene V. Debs was a populist. Bernie Sanders might yet be a 21st century populist. Trump, LePen, Putin, the Brexit folks, all F-A-S-C-I-S-M, i.e, ultra-nationalism as a cover for state-sponsored capitalism favoring the friendly oligarchs over all other lesser competitors. (And their voters: Populism's OK for nativists, not for other countries, because we can block their imports but they better not block our exports.) Learn to say the F-word out loud already, will you?
12
"Lowell" writes, "The media has allowed politicians who are anything but populist to hijack Populism for their own ends."
One common meaning of the term is indeed negative. As in, for instance, "telling lies, making impossible promises, and pretending to be what a candidate is not, all in order to obtain the votes of the common man or woman."
President Trump told his working class voters many things, but has changed his mind on most of them. Instead he has implemented policies that take away services and money from the working class and provide tax cuts and other benefits to the rich.
Senator Sanders blamed the hardships of the common man or woman on global trade. This appealed to the widespread notion that our problems are caused by foreigners. But it is not correct. The largest cause was automation.
The negative sense of the term is more common because there are so many more examples of it.
One common meaning of the term is indeed negative. As in, for instance, "telling lies, making impossible promises, and pretending to be what a candidate is not, all in order to obtain the votes of the common man or woman."
President Trump told his working class voters many things, but has changed his mind on most of them. Instead he has implemented policies that take away services and money from the working class and provide tax cuts and other benefits to the rich.
Senator Sanders blamed the hardships of the common man or woman on global trade. This appealed to the widespread notion that our problems are caused by foreigners. But it is not correct. The largest cause was automation.
The negative sense of the term is more common because there are so many more examples of it.
Thr Brexit folks are not fascist.
The people who forced the Lisbon Treaty on us without the referendum we were promised when about 82% wanted that referendum and 70% wanted to vote NO!!, they are fascists.
The people who forced the Lisbon Treaty on us without the referendum we were promised when about 82% wanted that referendum and 70% wanted to vote NO!!, they are fascists.
the Old colonialist powers of France and England are responsible for their problems it is called a blowback.
3
Sorry for bringing civilization to savage peoples.
The populist right feeds off the mistakes of the limousine liberals on the left. The limousine liberals have sufficient wealth to avoid seeing or rubbing up against the people who have been brought into their countries and are changing them, most often for the worse. The immigrants include Muslims, Africans and other groups of people who entered Europe and the 21st century at the same time. The values they bring with them, in many cases, are those of medieval times. It is one thing to bring in people from the middle ages with the expectation that these immigrants will adapt too their new lands, but that expectation has never been articulated by those European leaders who are now being savaged by populists across Europe.
The nationalist antipathy towards the immigrants is a more or less natural reaction to the situation those native Europeans, unlike the leaders of Europe, find themselves in...rubbing shoulders with and living in communities with people who refuse to adapt to even the 19th or 20th centuries, let alone the 21st. Until more European leaders figure out that European values are important enough to demand that newcomers make some effort to assimilate to them populism is going to continue to grow.
The nationalist antipathy towards the immigrants is a more or less natural reaction to the situation those native Europeans, unlike the leaders of Europe, find themselves in...rubbing shoulders with and living in communities with people who refuse to adapt to even the 19th or 20th centuries, let alone the 21st. Until more European leaders figure out that European values are important enough to demand that newcomers make some effort to assimilate to them populism is going to continue to grow.
42
I have a sinking feeling that the US Democratic Party leadership is not listening.
14
Hope that it will peak soon! It's a pathetic mess now.
4
As far as France is concerned, it is yet too early to judge. Clearly if Le Pen wins, the wave cannot be said to have crested.
If Macron wins, which appears to be the likely scenario, his 5-year presidency would have to go miserably wrong for Le Pen or the FN to make a comeback in 2022. The French republican Right put up a miserable dishonest and corrupt candidate this time around. We have to assume the candidate in 2022 will be stronger, sapping strength from the FN.
If Le Pen loses AND if Macron does a reasonable job during the next five years AND if Le Pen runs again in 2022, she will not get past the first round.
But the real test as to whether the wave is rising or cresting in France will come in June when the parliamentary elections occur. Without a standard bearer from either the right or the left as president, it is impossible to predict the makeup of the legislative body. The FN has never done well in the parliament, rarely winning any seats at all. But this year, anything can happen.
If Macron wins, which appears to be the likely scenario, his 5-year presidency would have to go miserably wrong for Le Pen or the FN to make a comeback in 2022. The French republican Right put up a miserable dishonest and corrupt candidate this time around. We have to assume the candidate in 2022 will be stronger, sapping strength from the FN.
If Le Pen loses AND if Macron does a reasonable job during the next five years AND if Le Pen runs again in 2022, she will not get past the first round.
But the real test as to whether the wave is rising or cresting in France will come in June when the parliamentary elections occur. Without a standard bearer from either the right or the left as president, it is impossible to predict the makeup of the legislative body. The FN has never done well in the parliament, rarely winning any seats at all. But this year, anything can happen.
1
If America's (and humanity's) sense of unity is to become manifest, then those who now see the march of global civilization as threatening to an archaic "me-first" way of life, must be allowed to inform the collective of it's notions for our future. That's what we're feeling now.
Just as the changes of our adolescence generated peer pressures toward greater cooperative maturity, so also is today's nationalism affirming the value of our global reach and collective maturity. While collective maturity is not inevitable, the forces of unity generated by nationalism are powerful and spread around the planet.
Nationalists are populists only to the extent that they drive collective consciousness toward greater unity.
Just as the changes of our adolescence generated peer pressures toward greater cooperative maturity, so also is today's nationalism affirming the value of our global reach and collective maturity. While collective maturity is not inevitable, the forces of unity generated by nationalism are powerful and spread around the planet.
Nationalists are populists only to the extent that they drive collective consciousness toward greater unity.
1
Unity for unity's sake without values that are intelligent and humane would be merely an amorphous monster. "Collective consciousness" is beyond the beyond: it won't come until the after-life.
1
The human brain is designed to remember the negative more than the positive. And we are influenced by each other - anxiety, fear, anger, hatred expressed by one person will be amplified in a group unless the group is quite stable. Populism is essentially an emotional response to threat. We will never be free of it until we each honestly address our own fears.
8
"Populism" is support for the concerns of ordinary people and policies/politicians advocating this.
Populism is NOT right-wing extremism, nationalism, racism, jingoism, xenophobia and/or financial irresponsibility!" (See Vox, NYC above)
Populism is a word being misused by the media to further their agenda. It is a dimension of democracy, duh.
Populism is NOT right-wing extremism, nationalism, racism, jingoism, xenophobia and/or financial irresponsibility!" (See Vox, NYC above)
Populism is a word being misused by the media to further their agenda. It is a dimension of democracy, duh.
Unless something crazy happens, it looks like the FN will be staved off in France at least for this election cycle. As the article points out, it is not clear how the nationalists/populists could realistically win/influence policy in Germany (again in this cycle) as long as Merkel prevents her own party from tilting to nationlism as the social democrat alternative is even more pro-European.
The upcoming European election we should be worrying about is the next Italian election. Renzi seems to want one for late 2017/early 2018 in order to stage his comeback, and the 5 Star Mouvement is right there with the left in the polls. Remember how heavily the European banking sector is invested in Italian bonds ....
The upcoming European election we should be worrying about is the next Italian election. Renzi seems to want one for late 2017/early 2018 in order to stage his comeback, and the 5 Star Mouvement is right there with the left in the polls. Remember how heavily the European banking sector is invested in Italian bonds ....
3
"You win by matching the emotions of the nationalists, not by pandering to them."
This is exactly the prescription progressives in America need to embrace. For most Trump supporters, emotion is the only connection they have to reality, and it drives every decision they make, every action they take, and certainly everything they believe. Because they have nothing but contempt for facts, evidence, or truth, what they believe becomes the basis for all discourse. The task is to make them see the emotional appeal of reality, in spite of everything Pumpkinhead might say. Convince them it's unpatriotic to be a billionaire, because it is.
This is exactly the prescription progressives in America need to embrace. For most Trump supporters, emotion is the only connection they have to reality, and it drives every decision they make, every action they take, and certainly everything they believe. Because they have nothing but contempt for facts, evidence, or truth, what they believe becomes the basis for all discourse. The task is to make them see the emotional appeal of reality, in spite of everything Pumpkinhead might say. Convince them it's unpatriotic to be a billionaire, because it is.
6
You are misusing the word, Populism. Please stop. It makes me angry when people try to turn populism into something bad. Populism is not a bad term. IT is merely the will of the people. That is what democracy is too. The people you are talking about are far right radicals. They do not represent the "people". I have been noticing this in the media for months now and it seems to be the job of a journalist is to use the correct words. It's your job.
19
BKC, sorry to disappoint you. When the author talks of populism, she is referring to the broad mass of citizens, not the far-right. Yours is a prime example of the liberal elite (not the left-wing, note - many of the left-wing are in the Le Pen camp) trying to impose their opinions on the masses.
1
The media and journalists will continue to misuse the word "populism" because it serves their left-wing agenda to do so. Populists take power away from elitists, and the press is certainly elitist.
Put my comment back up. Calling the game before it is over needs to be part of this discussion.
7
Peaked? They haven't really even gotten started. Nationalism to fascism is a time honored sport amongst the Europeans. They've been doing it for millenia.
4
No offense, but Nationalism to Fascism is not a "time-honored sport" restricted to Europeans.
13
Complete nonsense. Nations in the modern sense didn't exist in Europe till the very late Middle Ages (before that, "nation" meant something like "tribe"). Nationalism as a concept didn't exist until after Napoleon. Fascism as an ideology didn't exist till after the First World War. If you mean that European nations (like all others, by the way) have periodically gravitated toward illiberal poles, then say that.
14
Please stop calling these fascist racist bigots "populists". They are nothing of the sort. The kindest term for them is "tribalists" which is far more accurate as they are for their various White, Christian tribes, and not populist at all.
I don't know when racist and neo-nazi groups adopted the term "populist" but the ORIGINAL "Populist Party" in the USA in the late 19th Century was for the ordinary farmers and agrarian workers seeking to break the oligopsony of Eastern grain brokers. They campaigned for an expanded money supply via bi-metalism and were absorbed into the Democratic Party with the nomination of Wm. Jennings Bryan instead of Grover Cleveland (a gold bug).
While there were definite elements of racism and anti-Semitism in the original Populist movement, it was ancillary and tangential to the thrust of what they sought: greater egalitarian treatment of farmers so that they, too, could weather the boom and bust cycles and prosper.
So calling the fascist, White supremacist movements in Europe and North America "populist" is a complete adulteration of language. They are reactionaries, racists, bigots, ie, tribalists.
I don't know when racist and neo-nazi groups adopted the term "populist" but the ORIGINAL "Populist Party" in the USA in the late 19th Century was for the ordinary farmers and agrarian workers seeking to break the oligopsony of Eastern grain brokers. They campaigned for an expanded money supply via bi-metalism and were absorbed into the Democratic Party with the nomination of Wm. Jennings Bryan instead of Grover Cleveland (a gold bug).
While there were definite elements of racism and anti-Semitism in the original Populist movement, it was ancillary and tangential to the thrust of what they sought: greater egalitarian treatment of farmers so that they, too, could weather the boom and bust cycles and prosper.
So calling the fascist, White supremacist movements in Europe and North America "populist" is a complete adulteration of language. They are reactionaries, racists, bigots, ie, tribalists.
22
The American populists you are lionizing included many Nativists and racists...especially in the American south. Populism has always been representative of the values of blue collar workers, dirt farmers, and other folks who are being exploited by the rich. Their political views were often emotional and non-ideological. The Dixiecrats who were the backbone of the Democratic Party for decades (until Nixon's Southern Strategy brought them into the Republican Party) included all the famous segregationists of the first two thirds of the 20th century.
3
I'm not lionizing the 19th Century populists. I'm merely saying that their focus was on agrarian concerns, particularly of the small farmer, as opposed to the plantation owners who went right on after the Civil War. They wanted price supports and an expansion of the money supply to create inflation. Racism and bigotry were secondary.
Back then, inflation (though the term hadn't been coined for this use) was not seen as the evil it is now. Recession or "Panics" were far more typical. Inflation was seen as a way to get farm prices up and stimulate the economy. This is STILL true, that if you expand the money supply you get growth as long as inflation doesn't get out of control.
While Keynes hadn't been writing then, that WAS the justification for pushing for bimetalism, Gold and Silver, rather than just gold, which is far more scarce and therefore recessionary.
The Populists were a uniquely American party and only tangentially similar to the European and modern American "populists" who are nothing of the kind. Lumping them in with modern "populists" is simply bad history.
Back then, inflation (though the term hadn't been coined for this use) was not seen as the evil it is now. Recession or "Panics" were far more typical. Inflation was seen as a way to get farm prices up and stimulate the economy. This is STILL true, that if you expand the money supply you get growth as long as inflation doesn't get out of control.
While Keynes hadn't been writing then, that WAS the justification for pushing for bimetalism, Gold and Silver, rather than just gold, which is far more scarce and therefore recessionary.
The Populists were a uniquely American party and only tangentially similar to the European and modern American "populists" who are nothing of the kind. Lumping them in with modern "populists" is simply bad history.
Some liberals are to blame for the rise of the right.
We are simply not allowed to talk about problems with immigration without being labelled as xenophobs. But there are problems.
The most refugees are peaceful and law-abiding people. About 4% of the migrants, that are coming to europe are criminals or do cause severe problems. And migrants which are prone to criminality always coming from a very few countries, namely north africa, former yugoslavia and chechnia. And coincidentally these are also countries where there is no war or other reasons for accepting asylum.
If we would pursue a much harder deportation to these safe countries, we would get rid of those migrants, that cause most of the social problem.
We could provide much more resources to refugees, if we would not have to focus on criminals. But we are not allowed to even think about this.
Another issue are hate preachers. Some of these preachers are even not refugees or legal migrants, they get financed by saudi-arabia, egypt or recently even by turkey and spread their venom among muslims, who are often in need for spiritual backing.
Many muslims propagate anti western slogans only after heavily indoctrinated, while their influence makers stay hidden. It is absolute poison to see these clerics speading their filth. Yet nothing is done, all in the name of liberalism.
It is in the hand of politicians to defuse much of the hate dynamics, but they are to diffident.
We are simply not allowed to talk about problems with immigration without being labelled as xenophobs. But there are problems.
The most refugees are peaceful and law-abiding people. About 4% of the migrants, that are coming to europe are criminals or do cause severe problems. And migrants which are prone to criminality always coming from a very few countries, namely north africa, former yugoslavia and chechnia. And coincidentally these are also countries where there is no war or other reasons for accepting asylum.
If we would pursue a much harder deportation to these safe countries, we would get rid of those migrants, that cause most of the social problem.
We could provide much more resources to refugees, if we would not have to focus on criminals. But we are not allowed to even think about this.
Another issue are hate preachers. Some of these preachers are even not refugees or legal migrants, they get financed by saudi-arabia, egypt or recently even by turkey and spread their venom among muslims, who are often in need for spiritual backing.
Many muslims propagate anti western slogans only after heavily indoctrinated, while their influence makers stay hidden. It is absolute poison to see these clerics speading their filth. Yet nothing is done, all in the name of liberalism.
It is in the hand of politicians to defuse much of the hate dynamics, but they are to diffident.
31
Do you not know what liberal means. It seems so. It means freedom. Are you against freedom for the people. Neoliberals want freedom for the corporations over the people. That is why it is bad. So get out your handy dictionary and check out the meanings of these words.
2
Europeans and Americans in general are very naive. Those moving rapidly into our countries from the ME and N. Africa know exactly what they are doing.
Muslims will conquer Europe with the womb alone. Wait a couple of generations.
Muslims will conquer Europe with the womb alone. Wait a couple of generations.
6
Liberal, laissez-faire, ... i don't think there is a stringent name that really fit.
There is a rule of freedom. Freedom is balanced. It ends where the freedom of others begin. Call it the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant, or the law of reciprocity. We need lawmakers and politicians to balance this freedom, and to convince us that the situation is balanced.
The hate, that they rightwingers exploit is in fact the wrath, that the freedom is not balanced. And security, personal safety is also part of this freedom.
What kind of freedom is cooperation, if i am the the part in this cooperation, that get stiffled, exploited and mistreated ?
This is no pony farm for some high class simpletons, and my part is not to hide myself in the stables and to shovel pony dung the whole day.
There is a rule of freedom. Freedom is balanced. It ends where the freedom of others begin. Call it the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant, or the law of reciprocity. We need lawmakers and politicians to balance this freedom, and to convince us that the situation is balanced.
The hate, that they rightwingers exploit is in fact the wrath, that the freedom is not balanced. And security, personal safety is also part of this freedom.
What kind of freedom is cooperation, if i am the the part in this cooperation, that get stiffled, exploited and mistreated ?
This is no pony farm for some high class simpletons, and my part is not to hide myself in the stables and to shovel pony dung the whole day.
3
The author is a classic moral exhibitionist. She favors massive Third World immigration into Europe, but she doesn't even try to explain why this is in the interests of the people of Europe. She doesn't even seem particularly interested in the question! She focuses instead on moral condemnation of the "extreme" right for its language, and for "hate crimes" (which also usually just involve language). It doesn't seem to occur to her that if you want to provoke hostility, flooding peoples' homes with strangers is one of the most effective ways to do it.
Current levels of immigration will, within a single lifetime, turn the peoples of Europe into ethnic minorities in their own countries. If you are really determined to force this, you need to come up with a better justification than vague appeals to "tolerance" and "dignity." Unless, that is, your true concern is simply to flatter your own superior moral sensibilities.
Current levels of immigration will, within a single lifetime, turn the peoples of Europe into ethnic minorities in their own countries. If you are really determined to force this, you need to come up with a better justification than vague appeals to "tolerance" and "dignity." Unless, that is, your true concern is simply to flatter your own superior moral sensibilities.
48
An interesting phenomenon in the USA since Trump's election has been an uptick in fabricated "hate crimes." There were many threats against Jewish Community Centers and we were shocked to learn that the threats came from an American-Israeli Jew living in Israel. There was a threat against a Muslim professor in Indiana. We thought this was because of Trump's rhetoric. It turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by the professor himself. There were death threats in Vermont against African-Americans in a school district debating the "Rebel" mascot. The threats turned out to be from an African-American student himself, who put his own name on the threat list to try to throw off law enforcement. It is a strange time to see so many fake hoax "hate crimes" everywhere.
6
By the same token, your response reeks of xenophobia. Assuming that accepting immigrants means "flooding people's homes with strangers" is a total strawman - no one forces citizens to quarter residents, and refugees especially are often corralled into temporary housing in the outskirts of cities, cut off from the "local" communities. Your fear of "ethnic minorities" is palpable, and misinformed. Not only is it not true (by 2030 Muslims are expected to make up 8% of Europe... nowhere near surpassing the ethnically European populations), but it assumes that integration is impossible or completely out of the question. That's awfully narrow-minded. Europeans themselves have been immigrating to neighboring countries and mixing cultures for millennia (as well as with the Middle East and North Africa) and their cultures have remained strong to this day. The important parts of a culture always stick around, no matter what they mix with, and that mixing can lead to some great outcomes (what would Staten Island pizza be without the contribution of Italian immigrants?).
But beyond this, Third World immigration is a boon to First World countries, as studies have shown - they contribute immensely to taxes without receiving the same services that most citizens do, and they stimulate the economy by taking on critical but mundane jobs. Is that enough of an incentive?
But beyond this, Third World immigration is a boon to First World countries, as studies have shown - they contribute immensely to taxes without receiving the same services that most citizens do, and they stimulate the economy by taking on critical but mundane jobs. Is that enough of an incentive?
4
The current wave of third world immigration has not been a boon to Germany, where as of at least last fall, only 100 of the 1 million arrivals have found work. Employers have found that they are not educated, as was promised,and have no German language skills.The cost to Germany's citizens must be enormous. And the great majority are economic migrants,not refugees. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/710927/million-migrants-Germany-unem...
16
We can only hope the Liberals of the EU lose in a large way and push Communism and Socialism to the back burner.
3
If the Liberals of the EU lose, that will likely push the Communists to the front burner, not the back. In the first round in France, they only missed out on the runoff by 3%.
4
And we should be very afraid:
"...Indeed, some in the Trump administration have embraced the value of a far-right coalition between the United States and Europe.
Leading the way is Trump’s chief White House strategist, Stephen Bannon M.B.A. ’85 , the former chairman of Breitbart Media, a pro-Trump online news outlet. Breitbart has been something of a safe harbor for white nationalists, Neo-Nazis, and other digitally savvy right-wing fringe groups.
It’s an assertion Bannon appears to agree with, once referring to Breitbart as the “home of the alt-right.”
Shortly after the election, Breitbart announced it would expand to France and Germany to help bring Trumpism to audiences there. During a rare public appearance last week, Bannon, widely-seen as Trump’s ideological compass, said their victory made clear that there is a political “movement” afoot, one in which the administration’s “economic nationalist agenda” will help galvanize the Republican Party, and the nation, into “a new political order....”
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/02/in-europe-nationalisms-ris...
"...Indeed, some in the Trump administration have embraced the value of a far-right coalition between the United States and Europe.
Leading the way is Trump’s chief White House strategist, Stephen Bannon M.B.A. ’85 , the former chairman of Breitbart Media, a pro-Trump online news outlet. Breitbart has been something of a safe harbor for white nationalists, Neo-Nazis, and other digitally savvy right-wing fringe groups.
It’s an assertion Bannon appears to agree with, once referring to Breitbart as the “home of the alt-right.”
Shortly after the election, Breitbart announced it would expand to France and Germany to help bring Trumpism to audiences there. During a rare public appearance last week, Bannon, widely-seen as Trump’s ideological compass, said their victory made clear that there is a political “movement” afoot, one in which the administration’s “economic nationalist agenda” will help galvanize the Republican Party, and the nation, into “a new political order....”
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/02/in-europe-nationalisms-ris...
All of us should visit the European WW1 and WW2 cemeteries and ask if our aims are worthy of the sacrifice they represent..
9
Why are terrorist attacks never mentioned when the talk turns to hate crimes?
How about beating back the radical Left? See it from that perspective New York Times. You know, the Leftists who want Brussels to run Europe as opposed to local nation-states having a say. The same Leftists who want no borders and immigrants from a foreign culture without vetting of any kind so their corporate pals can benefit from cheap labor. The populists are not '' radicals'' they are the average man or woman who are tired of being told what to do,what to think and how to act by globalists hiding out in Brussels.
Immigrants armed after entry are not invaders?
Typical of a Times opinion -- one sided and not completely,accurate, either. Why is it so impossible for certain elements of this news organization to grasp the fact that much of the so-called populism has been generated by the tragedies of Rotherham, Charlie Hebdo, and the other assorted killing sprees that have taken place in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Sweden lately? Perhaps personal safety is as much of a motivation to curb migration as so-called xenophobia.
Really? The populations of third world countries will quickly swamp central Europe and the U.S. if we allow it. This is not a liberal-conservative issue but liberals want to deny the basic math. Just look at a world population density map.
People voted for Trump to preserve the US as a Constitutional Republic with the rule of law. As opposed to a fascist European stile welfare state. Which is where it seemed the Democrat party wanted to take the country. Obama " I want to fundamentally change America"
The drawing and article are misleading. The author has obviously no clue about Emmanuel Macron. The guy has no program. He just picks trending keywords like a twitter bot and throw them at his audience. He reminds me of Conway in House of Cards but without the eloquence. Fake, fake, fake.
"Dark clouds have been hovering over Europeans who believe in an integrated, tolerant and open Continent."
I note that the word "democratic" is missing. The imposition of the Lisbon Treaty on the British people without the referendum which had been promised and which was the basis on which the then government was elected and which about 82% wanted and in which 70% wanted to say NO!! demonstrated that the "EU" is nauseatingly, arrogantly and brass-facedly anti-democratic.
Helmut Schmidt the ex-German Chancellor who let Greece into the "EU" called for a putsch. I know of no protests from "EU"-supporters.
There have been calls for an "EU"-Army and the abolition of national armies.
Some are calling for a "strong leader." The German word for leader is Führer.
The nauseating fascists, the Romans, Charlemagne and Napoleon are heroes for many "EU"-fanatics.
The Euro is destroying the economies of Greece, Italy, Spain and France and others.
Instead of abolishing the Euro, they want more integration. The Euro is about the "European Idea" and demonstrates that no matter how stupid and destructive an idea is, if it is part if the "Euueopean Idea" it will be pursued.
The "dark cloud" is the "EU".
French people should vote for Le Pen.
Any faults she has are much less serious than those of Macron.
I note that the word "democratic" is missing. The imposition of the Lisbon Treaty on the British people without the referendum which had been promised and which was the basis on which the then government was elected and which about 82% wanted and in which 70% wanted to say NO!! demonstrated that the "EU" is nauseatingly, arrogantly and brass-facedly anti-democratic.
Helmut Schmidt the ex-German Chancellor who let Greece into the "EU" called for a putsch. I know of no protests from "EU"-supporters.
There have been calls for an "EU"-Army and the abolition of national armies.
Some are calling for a "strong leader." The German word for leader is Führer.
The nauseating fascists, the Romans, Charlemagne and Napoleon are heroes for many "EU"-fanatics.
The Euro is destroying the economies of Greece, Italy, Spain and France and others.
Instead of abolishing the Euro, they want more integration. The Euro is about the "European Idea" and demonstrates that no matter how stupid and destructive an idea is, if it is part if the "Euueopean Idea" it will be pursued.
The "dark cloud" is the "EU".
French people should vote for Le Pen.
Any faults she has are much less serious than those of Macron.
This is, in this article, the conventional maddening statement in defense of the status quo:
"But there is also plenty to celebrate for people who believe that Europe will be safer and more prosperous if countries work together and keep their doors open to the world, rather than retreat into nationalism and isolationism."
Wonderful prosperous Europe of countries that work together and keep their doors open to the world, Indeed, it sounds so nice.
But this is the same Europe that neglects its youth and allows a great many of them to become an underclass living sordid lives with no interesting work, no income, little future. The same Europe that constantly cuts back on subsidized art and recreation and entertainment, allowing corporations to skim the cream off the society even as they make it crasser and crasser. The same Europe that neglects the old. The same Europe where the comfortable don´t give a damn about anything except their comfort.
That is why it is under attack, Europe.
It is not the right or the populist right that are the enemy. It is the bourgeois themselves being so bourgeois, that is, we ourselves, us, the eternally selfish and smug, who are the enemy.
When will we get that through our thick heads!
If we don't, from the right or from the left, the people left out will attack the system.
And then that nice prosperous idealistic open Europe (of the global concentraton of wealth) will become a giant police state.
As is already happening.
"But there is also plenty to celebrate for people who believe that Europe will be safer and more prosperous if countries work together and keep their doors open to the world, rather than retreat into nationalism and isolationism."
Wonderful prosperous Europe of countries that work together and keep their doors open to the world, Indeed, it sounds so nice.
But this is the same Europe that neglects its youth and allows a great many of them to become an underclass living sordid lives with no interesting work, no income, little future. The same Europe that constantly cuts back on subsidized art and recreation and entertainment, allowing corporations to skim the cream off the society even as they make it crasser and crasser. The same Europe that neglects the old. The same Europe where the comfortable don´t give a damn about anything except their comfort.
That is why it is under attack, Europe.
It is not the right or the populist right that are the enemy. It is the bourgeois themselves being so bourgeois, that is, we ourselves, us, the eternally selfish and smug, who are the enemy.
When will we get that through our thick heads!
If we don't, from the right or from the left, the people left out will attack the system.
And then that nice prosperous idealistic open Europe (of the global concentraton of wealth) will become a giant police state.
As is already happening.
Democratism has proven to be Marxism by another name. Marxism is stupid and has been shown to fail everywhere it is shoved down otherwise free people's throats. Perhaps history is not repeating itsel and the folks are casting off the shackles of Democratism before it becomes full blown totalitarian communism. Americans are disgusted with Democratism. The Democratic Party is imploding, but you wouldn't know it listening to the progressive liberal marxist elitist "intellectual" idiots in media and academia. Denial ain't a river in Egypt.
There are those that say another world war is just over the horizon. Political trends around the globe, to some, are exacerbating the theory that a another war will happen. If some of the leading political characters so far are any indication, perhaps the theory is correct. Something has to give. It'll be interesting to see what that is.
We all are battling a war of meaning. The term populism must be examined by each person using it to see how it affects others, and to understand how this Trojan Horse of authoritarianism and fascism within has been used before to dismantle the rule of the voter and the people. Trump, like the later Caesars Berlusconi and Jean Marie Le Pen, fool only the angry masses who will turn to demagogues in their fear. Those with more perspective must now use their words to make this danger as clear as it should be, for all to act in their real interest and to help prevent another showdown of egos with weapons ready.
Yes. But we need two things, not only the democratic passion she insists on. We need ideas and programs to adress the current, ongoing crisis of liberal institutions and neoliberal policies. The institutions must be stregthened. The policies must be replaced.
In Europe the elites are pretty tone deaf. The German's insist on austerity because of the 1930s. This leads to disaster economic outcomes throughout Europe. It is time for greater flexibility and heeding the need of ordinary people to believe that their interests are the concern of their leaders.
The European Union, in its drive to assure governance of and by the bureaucrat, have missed the fact that the French like to be French, the Italians want to be Italians, the Germans enjoy being Germans, and the British are never going to become "Europeans".
And, governance that fails to respect the cultural natures of our communities exposes itself the types of political pressures that now are being seen across the free world.
If the governing bodies don't mover to create the change that is required, The People will do it. That is what good democracy is all about...governance of the people, by the people and for the people.
The People are speaking.
And, governance that fails to respect the cultural natures of our communities exposes itself the types of political pressures that now are being seen across the free world.
If the governing bodies don't mover to create the change that is required, The People will do it. That is what good democracy is all about...governance of the people, by the people and for the people.
The People are speaking.
I recall as a youth a friend of my parents opining that nationalism is the world's greatest political scourge. He had lived through WW2 and perhaps even fought in it, so he had more than passing awareness whereof he spoke.
Today, we lack the direct collective memory of the direst consequences of right-wing nationalism so we no longer take it seriously enough. I lack it too even though I was born in 1939. I read, however.
The depth of cruel human depravity throughout wartime Europe was beyond imagining. Only the collective resistance of internationally allied human decency stopped it after 60 million lives lost and untold collateral carnage.
This should remind President Trump what "carnage" really means. Either he hasn't a clue or he just doesn't care. What worries me is whether we care enough to terminate our political nightmare through any and all constitutional means possible.
Today, we lack the direct collective memory of the direst consequences of right-wing nationalism so we no longer take it seriously enough. I lack it too even though I was born in 1939. I read, however.
The depth of cruel human depravity throughout wartime Europe was beyond imagining. Only the collective resistance of internationally allied human decency stopped it after 60 million lives lost and untold collateral carnage.
This should remind President Trump what "carnage" really means. Either he hasn't a clue or he just doesn't care. What worries me is whether we care enough to terminate our political nightmare through any and all constitutional means possible.
3
Nationalism in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries started as a liberal force for good. It was the move for citizenship, for ordinary people to govern themselves rather than feudal aristocrats running countries as their private property. Countries were to be the nations of their people, not the property of their elites.
That became twisted by the late 19th Century. Arguably Napoleon began the twist almost as soon as nationalism arose, however it was still a purer nationalism that motivated Germans to defeat Napoleon, and motivated unification of Italy, and much else.
By the 20th Century, it had become wholly corrupted into a tool of militarism.
We still need the positives of what nationalism originally brought. We need to be rid of the negatives for which it came to be used later.
We need a clear view of our problem -- it is not just nationalism, it is the manipulation of it for hatreds and war.
The positives of nationalism are still the basis of thinking for a state to care for all of its people. It is the basis for national concern for health care, and an economy that serves everyone.
We have a baby in the bathwater problem, in which the bathwater is using the baby as an excuse to abuse us.
That became twisted by the late 19th Century. Arguably Napoleon began the twist almost as soon as nationalism arose, however it was still a purer nationalism that motivated Germans to defeat Napoleon, and motivated unification of Italy, and much else.
By the 20th Century, it had become wholly corrupted into a tool of militarism.
We still need the positives of what nationalism originally brought. We need to be rid of the negatives for which it came to be used later.
We need a clear view of our problem -- it is not just nationalism, it is the manipulation of it for hatreds and war.
The positives of nationalism are still the basis of thinking for a state to care for all of its people. It is the basis for national concern for health care, and an economy that serves everyone.
We have a baby in the bathwater problem, in which the bathwater is using the baby as an excuse to abuse us.
9
The fact is, only the Red Army put a stop to Hitler. That's how it happened.
I don't see why tolerance for diversity is talked about in an all or nothing context. Perhaps there is a rate at which unfamiliar social customs and values can be comfortably accommodated? It might be preferable to control the acceptance of immigrants to some upper limit rather than risk a draconian populist backlash.
9
"Perhaps there is a rate at which unfamiliar social customs and values can be comfortably accommodated?"
Why should they be accommodated at all? If immigrants don't want to assimilate into the dominate culture of their chosen new home they should stay in their home country. This goes double for people immigrating from parts of the world like the Middle East where the dominate social customs and values are wholly incompatible with Western social customs and values. No individual has the right to show up in another country and demand that country bend over backwards for them.
Why should they be accommodated at all? If immigrants don't want to assimilate into the dominate culture of their chosen new home they should stay in their home country. This goes double for people immigrating from parts of the world like the Middle East where the dominate social customs and values are wholly incompatible with Western social customs and values. No individual has the right to show up in another country and demand that country bend over backwards for them.
1
The Euro is destroying much of Europe.
The economic woes are worse in countries which are at the edge of the "EU" and in the Eurozone.
Finnland is worse off than Sweden.
Portugal is worse off than Poland.
Greece is worse off than everybody.
Germany is doing well but not as well as Switzerland which is not in the Euro.
Catastrophe had been predicted if the UK voted to leave the "EU" but it hasn't happened.
The Pound did fall but that has led to more empolyment and higher production.
Greece's currency cannot fall in the same way because Greece is shackled to the Euro.
France is also schackled to the Euro and should leave asap but Macron wouldn't do that and Le Pen would.
The economic woes are worse in countries which are at the edge of the "EU" and in the Eurozone.
Finnland is worse off than Sweden.
Portugal is worse off than Poland.
Greece is worse off than everybody.
Germany is doing well but not as well as Switzerland which is not in the Euro.
Catastrophe had been predicted if the UK voted to leave the "EU" but it hasn't happened.
The Pound did fall but that has led to more empolyment and higher production.
Greece's currency cannot fall in the same way because Greece is shackled to the Euro.
France is also schackled to the Euro and should leave asap but Macron wouldn't do that and Le Pen would.
There is certainly a message here for the US as well. Look at what happened when the passionate anger of whites feeling left behind was channeled by Donald Trump, while Hillary Clinton tried the "facts and figures" policy based approach and failed to stir much passion even among lifelong Democrats. We ignore that lesson at our peril. If Democrats cannot come up with candidates that can make people believe in something and feel strongly about it, they will continue to fail at the polls, while Republicans who successfully channel voters' emotions, even negative emotions, will win.
I'm suspicious about the overuse of the word "populism", because it's applied to both left and right, with equal disdain. Bernie Sanders may be a 'populist', for instance, but his public policy stances are both honest and (at least according to me) jibe with what a lot of scientists, economists and educators say we need in public policy. Populist, yes.
It seems that the biggest amount of disdain is saved for using 'populist' in terms of riling up uninformed voters: making the dummies all excited so that they vote the wrong way. This is a middling technocrat's view, and it's more or less self-serving, except that that viewpoint didn't seem to serve anyone in the last election, and it doesn't now.
With Trump and the rest of the GOP most of the time, you're simply talking about demagoguery - not populism. It's populism's ugly brother.
It seems that the biggest amount of disdain is saved for using 'populist' in terms of riling up uninformed voters: making the dummies all excited so that they vote the wrong way. This is a middling technocrat's view, and it's more or less self-serving, except that that viewpoint didn't seem to serve anyone in the last election, and it doesn't now.
With Trump and the rest of the GOP most of the time, you're simply talking about demagoguery - not populism. It's populism's ugly brother.
There are two thoughts to bear in mind. One, welcoming all refugees who want to flee their circumstances is the humane, moral thing to do. This is undeniable, and if I were a refugee myself, I would hope to find a place to retreat to.
The other thought is that there is a matter of numbers to consider. The Davos class likes open borders because they imagine those moving would be 'just us'. A small number of people will move. Numbers mean that 10 refugees are just fine, or 100. Maybe even 10,000. But maybe not 10 million. There is a line to be drawn where too many will make a lot of people uncomfortable, and reasonable people may differ on where to locate the line.
Nothing is easier to predict than that there will be blowback when the numbers get bigger. You can't just ignore it and focus purely on the moral responsibility and fail to take into account the reaction to the inevitable conflicts that will occur.
The other thought is that there is a matter of numbers to consider. The Davos class likes open borders because they imagine those moving would be 'just us'. A small number of people will move. Numbers mean that 10 refugees are just fine, or 100. Maybe even 10,000. But maybe not 10 million. There is a line to be drawn where too many will make a lot of people uncomfortable, and reasonable people may differ on where to locate the line.
Nothing is easier to predict than that there will be blowback when the numbers get bigger. You can't just ignore it and focus purely on the moral responsibility and fail to take into account the reaction to the inevitable conflicts that will occur.
14
And it isn't only a matter of numbers by any means, but a matter of how many people within what time frame, and with what institutions to receive them?
Who bears the costs, who reaps the benefits? This is now the question for every issue.
Who bears the costs, who reaps the benefits? This is now the question for every issue.
There is also the concept that the able bodied and health males (and women) can stay where they are fight for and win their freedom and liberty. Afterall isnt that what the West did time and time again amongst itself... is our god fortune built on bedrock of sacrifce and fight...
This journalist is completely out of touch with the European problems. Europe faces immigration issues that the US can't even imagine. And the EU rules are aggravating the situation because the economic situations are very different from one country to the other but borders are fully open. Europe, contrary to the US, has been doing a very poor job in integrating its immigration population mostly for two reasons: no pride of being European as immigrants in the US have to be proud of being in the US with the daily pledge to the American flag at school for example. Moslem immigration versus mostly Christian immigration in the US.
In this context, and as long as the immigration problem is not properly and toughly handled by national and European authorities, I believe that the anti-immigration movements will continue to grow.
In this context, and as long as the immigration problem is not properly and toughly handled by national and European authorities, I believe that the anti-immigration movements will continue to grow.
Angela Merkel made two serious mistakes which led to strengthing European populism: Her resentment-generating severity in Germany's bail-out of Greece. And her insanely naive admittance of 800,000 refugees all at once, many of whose values are inconsistent with Euro-secular-gender-equality values. I live in a high immigration US region and am very comfortable with and very liberal regarding both documented and undocumented border crossers. But even I knew that a huge inflow of nearly a million refugees all at once was not going to turn out well.
It seems to me that you’re promoting the same feelings of nationalism—abroad, but not at home, as if there is something nobler for the French about feelings for Europe than about feelings for France. Everyone agrees that it’s not a great choice of candidates for the French, but it is a choice, between their identity as French and an identity as Europeans—a nation versus a currency, a choice they may never get again if Macron wins; if they do, it will surely not take place under happier circumstances.
4
I do not know why you say "everyone agrees that it's not a great choice of candidates for the French." Many French people I know are thrilled by the surge of support for Macron, who came out of nowhere to vault into the front-runner. It is the first time in decades that there has been a Centrist in the 2nd round. And of course, there are 1 in 5 who are thrilled about the FN.
The vast majority of French people are republicans, that is, believers in the traditional French republican values of Liberty Equality and Brotherhood. To even pretend for a moment that Le Pen represents their identity as French is sheer ignorance. The FN is anti-republican, which is why so many right-wing French leaders (Sarkozy, Juppe, Fillon) have come out in open support of Macron.
The vast majority of French people are republicans, that is, believers in the traditional French republican values of Liberty Equality and Brotherhood. To even pretend for a moment that Le Pen represents their identity as French is sheer ignorance. The FN is anti-republican, which is why so many right-wing French leaders (Sarkozy, Juppe, Fillon) have come out in open support of Macron.
2
The elephant in the room is that if, by miracle, all people currently inhabiting Earth are lifted from poverty to the economic status of the US/EU middle class, can our planet physically sustain that. I understand the desire of the Western ruling elites to gain more political and economic power by redistributing wealth from rich to poor countries, but it has to blow up badly in the end.
4
By allowing endless immigrants into the US/Europe we are destroying our planet.
5
Excuse me, but wealth continues to be redistributed from poor to rich countries--not the other way around--by the neoliberal policies of the "ruling elite." Just as it is being redistributed from poor to rich in your own country. And you live in Berkeley? Time to wake up and read a book.
The ending quote goes, '' You win by matching the emotions of the nationalists, not by pandering to them.''
Actually, don't you win political contests by HAVING a position that you think the voters trust you to carry out? Thought and ideas defeat raw emotion every time because humanity needs a positive reason to vote for someone or something.
Hillary the Entitled lost her race from Day One because she had nothing except her gender and the old chant, ''Hope'' to say to people. She filled up the other 95% of her time shrieking about Trump's faults - and saying nothing about her life of skirting laws about bribery and national security secrets.
Americans don't vote against very easily. Give us something to support.
Donald Trump promised that he would actually enforce the law regarding people sneaking into our country, and so far that is CLEARLY much better even without help from the frightened flopsies of both parties in Congress.
Actually, don't you win political contests by HAVING a position that you think the voters trust you to carry out? Thought and ideas defeat raw emotion every time because humanity needs a positive reason to vote for someone or something.
Hillary the Entitled lost her race from Day One because she had nothing except her gender and the old chant, ''Hope'' to say to people. She filled up the other 95% of her time shrieking about Trump's faults - and saying nothing about her life of skirting laws about bribery and national security secrets.
Americans don't vote against very easily. Give us something to support.
Donald Trump promised that he would actually enforce the law regarding people sneaking into our country, and so far that is CLEARLY much better even without help from the frightened flopsies of both parties in Congress.
Populism? Call it what it really is: the mob.
But it doesn’t stop there. Metaphorically speaking, the mob is run by the psychological archetype of the vampire. The mob and the vampire have two things in common: they both are incapable of seeing their reflection in the mirror, and they both like the taste of blood.
Transform the image of what is happening in Europe and America from “populism” to “the mob” to “the vampire” and we see what is really at stake.
But it doesn’t stop there. Metaphorically speaking, the mob is run by the psychological archetype of the vampire. The mob and the vampire have two things in common: they both are incapable of seeing their reflection in the mirror, and they both like the taste of blood.
Transform the image of what is happening in Europe and America from “populism” to “the mob” to “the vampire” and we see what is really at stake.
Unlike the US, where we're far from the Middle East and its migrants, Europe can not afford to be "open" to all the migrants from there and from Africa. It"ll be swamped in a matter of a generation. European countries can not be like America of the early 1900's, taking in all kinds of immigrants, no matter what their beliefs are. Why is it so hard to understand, that being open means that Moslems will overtake Europe and she will no longer exist as we know it? Greece, where I was born is already facing an existential danger from being overwhelmed. How can you have open borders, when Europeans can't, or don't want to migrate to the Middle East or Africa? It can't be open borders, when its one way only. Overpopulated Africa and the Muslim world will over run Europe. And, I"m no Trump supporter. But, what's right is right
3
They teach history in Europe. They will not elect LePen.
Why do we call fascism "populism"? In America, we have equated Donald J Trump (a fascist) with Bernie Sanders (a moderate who supports democratic institutions) by calling them both "populists". The word "populist" no longer has a meaning.
If "populism" is taken to mean "preventing open borders in Europe" as in this article, then "fighting against populism" effectively is the same as "fighting to dilute and then destroy Europe's unique culture through mass immigration from Africa and the Middle East." Why is this considered a liberal cause? Is seems more like an illiberal cause, since liberalism arose from Europe's unique culture.
1
Nice journalism. The bottom line is, the EU is Germany , with Brussels pushing paper. Russia has intent, backed by it's people, to re-construct the Prior Soviet Union. Russia needs the population and whatever additional GP new satellites will provide. Nato is the US and may not get involved, why ?
(populism gobalism terms subverted for politica posturing )
Neo populism used as an argument against globalism.
The world is shrinking. Someone on the other side of the world can read what I have just written seconds after it is posted.
Globalism is here like it or not.
Neo populism used as an argument against globalism.
The world is shrinking. Someone on the other side of the world can read what I have just written seconds after it is posted.
Globalism is here like it or not.
Wow! The editorial cartoon accompanying the article might just as well have been of policy wonk Hillary and ranting blowhard Trump.
One gives people respect, states reasons for policies and includes all Americans in the national agenda; the other stirs people to anger, makes empty promises and divides and conquers to rule.
America used to set the example - let the world hope those days are over! My message to France? It happened here; don't let it happen to you.
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
One gives people respect, states reasons for policies and includes all Americans in the national agenda; the other stirs people to anger, makes empty promises and divides and conquers to rule.
America used to set the example - let the world hope those days are over! My message to France? It happened here; don't let it happen to you.
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
1
Understand that the far right is dangerous to the European Union (and the US). However, the far left is equally dangerous to the EU and US. NYTimes, you have had dangerous articles that mis-represent the facts in order to push a far left agenda that you have been embracing, especially for the last 4-5 years.
Some, just some, moderation? Or, do you prefer to continue to divide while blaming Trump, just as the far right blamed Obama for the divide?
Some, just some, moderation? Or, do you prefer to continue to divide while blaming Trump, just as the far right blamed Obama for the divide?
Perhaps we are not all equal?
"Peaked" assumes a lot, assumed by people who have been wrong about voters pretty consistently.
Polls reflect judgments on who to count, who is representative of what. They are not "data" they are a collection of opinions largely hidden from the view of those offered the numbers. It comes of small sample size and difficulty of contacting consistently within the samples.
Le Pen and her opponent nearly tied in the first round, both in the low 20's.
Most other candidates then rallied to oppose her, but not all. About 25% of the vote went to those who did not rally, one of whom will now run with her.
Furthermore, those who did rally against her do not entirely command their own voters, especially not to turn out at all for something they don't really support.
Her "144 commitments" is available on line. There is something there for everyone. There is also something there to appall most everyone. It is also very long, so many people will only read for what they want to see, for or against. This offers opportunity to sway people who just don't like their choices.
Don't go whistling past this graveyard too. Didn't Trump teach us at least that much?
Polls reflect judgments on who to count, who is representative of what. They are not "data" they are a collection of opinions largely hidden from the view of those offered the numbers. It comes of small sample size and difficulty of contacting consistently within the samples.
Le Pen and her opponent nearly tied in the first round, both in the low 20's.
Most other candidates then rallied to oppose her, but not all. About 25% of the vote went to those who did not rally, one of whom will now run with her.
Furthermore, those who did rally against her do not entirely command their own voters, especially not to turn out at all for something they don't really support.
Her "144 commitments" is available on line. There is something there for everyone. There is also something there to appall most everyone. It is also very long, so many people will only read for what they want to see, for or against. This offers opportunity to sway people who just don't like their choices.
Don't go whistling past this graveyard too. Didn't Trump teach us at least that much?
Anyone who is paying attention knows the same scenario is being played out in Europe and around the world as played out in OUR United States of America last year.
The International Mafia and their fox propaganda machine - aided by Steve Bannon and his crowd of paid haters including Russian mafia - are sowing distrust, anger-hate-fear LIES, LIES, LIES to try to destabilize every kind of government control so they can create their Robber Baron kingdom of Insatiably Greedy Predatory Capitalism and control the world.
This is not a "novel". This is not "Game of Thrones" or "House of Cards" or "VEEP" or "Madame Secretary" or "Survival" or any of the violent, angry, warrior propaganda they try to feed us every hour of every day to get ready for their violent warrior world. This is real-time real life.
WE - The Good People of America - are the only ones who can stop it and WE must do it now. BEFORE they can further destroy OUR lives and world.
The International Mafia and their fox propaganda machine - aided by Steve Bannon and his crowd of paid haters including Russian mafia - are sowing distrust, anger-hate-fear LIES, LIES, LIES to try to destabilize every kind of government control so they can create their Robber Baron kingdom of Insatiably Greedy Predatory Capitalism and control the world.
This is not a "novel". This is not "Game of Thrones" or "House of Cards" or "VEEP" or "Madame Secretary" or "Survival" or any of the violent, angry, warrior propaganda they try to feed us every hour of every day to get ready for their violent warrior world. This is real-time real life.
WE - The Good People of America - are the only ones who can stop it and WE must do it now. BEFORE they can further destroy OUR lives and world.
13
The real problem is that in this star-struck, entertainment-driven society, Americans don't know where, and how to draw the line between phantasy and fact.
As Neil Postman brilliantly points out in his seminal work:
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business: "Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other.
They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images.
They do not argue with proposistions, they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials."
No way to argue that fact --we have living proof of it in the White House.
As Neil Postman brilliantly points out in his seminal work:
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business: "Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other.
They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images.
They do not argue with proposistions, they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials."
No way to argue that fact --we have living proof of it in the White House.
The problem for the EU is the inordinate power of Germany within it. After the 2008 financial meltdown the European Lifestyle Superpower became the great German shakedown to bail out its banks at the southern tier of the EUs expense. This has added a great deal to the desire of citizens to want to get out from the perpetual austerity the EU through Germany inflicts on people. Much the same has happened in the US as the Republicans refuse to allow the gov't to do things that it is well equipped to do like repair the decaying infrastructure in the US. Zero sum politics have helped conservative parties throughout the West. Populism as espoused by people like Trump is just a phony lie to play on voters baser instincts and ignorance. Le Pen speaks of getting out of the EU which certainly has been gaining in resonance with the austerity driven endless recession in Italy and other places. Le Pen uses immigration as Trump to argue that these people are ruining their culture.
4
"The problem for the EU is the inordinate power of Germany within it."
I believe that that is not the problem but a problem.
Bavaria is only part of Germany because Ludwig II was bribed by Bismark. The beautiful castle of Neuschwanstein was the bribe.
Bavaria in the Federal Republic is like Britain in the "EU".
It gets ripped off. It pays in more than it gets out. In return it gets abuse.
I suggest that Bavaria should leave the Federal Republic. It is large enough to be an independent state. It could and should continue to be part of NATO.
It would probably stay in the "EU", which I would consider to be a mistake.
Bavaria leaving the Federal Republic would reduce the power of Berlin for the benefit of other European countreies and for the benefit of the Germans.
I believe that that is not the problem but a problem.
Bavaria is only part of Germany because Ludwig II was bribed by Bismark. The beautiful castle of Neuschwanstein was the bribe.
Bavaria in the Federal Republic is like Britain in the "EU".
It gets ripped off. It pays in more than it gets out. In return it gets abuse.
I suggest that Bavaria should leave the Federal Republic. It is large enough to be an independent state. It could and should continue to be part of NATO.
It would probably stay in the "EU", which I would consider to be a mistake.
Bavaria leaving the Federal Republic would reduce the power of Berlin for the benefit of other European countreies and for the benefit of the Germans.
I fully agree, Mr. Harris, that the German banks, indeed all of the banks involved in lending money to the Greeks, should have been held more responsible,
But we also need to understand that the Greeks, and by extension, other governments who engaged in borrowing for their operating funds, need to pay for their own serious mistake of spending money that they could never in hundreds of years have paid back.
Balance is the concept that needs to hold sway, and there needs to be robust discussion as to where that balance may actually be found. So far, that balance hasn't been achieved, and the participants are continuing to walk the fine line between success and failure.
Can the EU, as an organization, manage these matters?
As far as I can tell, the limit of the effectiveness of the bureaucrat has been exceeded, and The People are again reasserting their authority throughout the EU's member nations.
But we also need to understand that the Greeks, and by extension, other governments who engaged in borrowing for their operating funds, need to pay for their own serious mistake of spending money that they could never in hundreds of years have paid back.
Balance is the concept that needs to hold sway, and there needs to be robust discussion as to where that balance may actually be found. So far, that balance hasn't been achieved, and the participants are continuing to walk the fine line between success and failure.
Can the EU, as an organization, manage these matters?
As far as I can tell, the limit of the effectiveness of the bureaucrat has been exceeded, and The People are again reasserting their authority throughout the EU's member nations.
1
Charlotte McDonald-Gibson has failed to point out that Marine Le Pen and her ally, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan received only 21.3% and 4.7% of the votes respectively during the first round of France's presidential election. What seems to drown out Marine Le Pen's anti-immigrant rhetoric is Euroskepticism: Le Pen's rival, the far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon captured 19.58% of the votes. Le Pen and Mélenchon together won nearly 41% of the votes on the ticket of anti-EU, anti-globalisation etc. Economic issues motivate many French to leave the EU and embrace economic nationalism.
In Germany - like the Netherlands - economy is robust. Populists need to tap into issues like national identity and culture etc. to galvanise support for their cause. Indeed, populism rises to the occasion when there is a political crisis, and it should serve as a wakeup call for politicians to get their act together.
In Germany - like the Netherlands - economy is robust. Populists need to tap into issues like national identity and culture etc. to galvanise support for their cause. Indeed, populism rises to the occasion when there is a political crisis, and it should serve as a wakeup call for politicians to get their act together.
5
"In Germany - like the Netherlands - economy is robust."
I live in Germnany and many Germans do not see it like that. There are a number of reports of many Germans living below the poverty line etc.
I live in Germnany and many Germans do not see it like that. There are a number of reports of many Germans living below the poverty line etc.
"Populism": derogatory term for democracy, used when democratic outcomes don't agree with the user's ideology.
42
And the "EU"-fanatics use that strategy because they haven't got any real arguments.
Their arguments do not stand up to any sort of examination.
Their arguments do not stand up to any sort of examination.
In reply to "RC" who writes, " 'Populism': derogatory term for democracy, used when democratic outcomes don't agree with the user's ideology."
One common meaning of the term is indeed negative. As in, for instance, "telling lies, making impossible promises, and pretending to be what a candidate is not, all in order to obtain the votes of the common man or woman."
President Trump told his working class voters many things, but has changed his mind on most of them. Instead he has implemented policies that take away services and money from the working class and provide tax cuts and other benefits to the rich.
Senator Sanders blamed the hardships of the common man or woman on global trade. This appealed to the widespread notion that our problems are caused by foreigners. But it is not correct. The largest cause was automation.
The negative sense of the term is common because there are so many more examples of it.
One common meaning of the term is indeed negative. As in, for instance, "telling lies, making impossible promises, and pretending to be what a candidate is not, all in order to obtain the votes of the common man or woman."
President Trump told his working class voters many things, but has changed his mind on most of them. Instead he has implemented policies that take away services and money from the working class and provide tax cuts and other benefits to the rich.
Senator Sanders blamed the hardships of the common man or woman on global trade. This appealed to the widespread notion that our problems are caused by foreigners. But it is not correct. The largest cause was automation.
The negative sense of the term is common because there are so many more examples of it.
1
"Derogatory language once unthinkable".....Trump is a vulgar bigoted narcissist with a short attention span. The tragedy of his elevation is that his language and behavior gives license to everyone who is cortex challenged to express the darker side of their nature. The value, if there is one, is that it sends a message that the potential elements of de-civilization lie dormant just below the surface in far too many of our fellow citizens. It is a reminder that we have to be ever vigilant if we are to continue to make progress beyond the level of our cave dwelling ancestors.
21
Modern man, aka homo sapiens (that is: us), has roamed the Earth for 200.000 years. We have the exact same biology, brain volume and primitive urgest & instincts as the Greek, the Romans, the Vandals, the Goths, the Vikings. The Middle Ages, with all their violence, are only 0.003 part of homo sapiens's existence ago. In the last 0.0005 part of that period, mankind waged two World Wars wiping out each others brethren by the millions, and helped to install dictators who were allowed to kill more millions.
To me, there is no shadow of a doubt that 'civilization' is a thin layer of chrome on a body of hot and rough iron.
And rust never sleeps.
To me, there is no shadow of a doubt that 'civilization' is a thin layer of chrome on a body of hot and rough iron.
And rust never sleeps.
The author is only focussed on refugee crisis. Thats utterly wrong.
Refugee crisis is under control since spring 2016. Thats why Mr. Rutte has recovered from worse figures at the end of 2016 and why AfD is stagnating or losing now. The crucial problem is current integration of immigrants who are already in Europe - some more than 50 years.
Integration had been only more or less succesful. Less in most French "banlieu"
https://tinyurl.com/l74lra5
and some small German quarters like Duisburg-Marxloh and Berlin "Cotti" area, mixed in Germany as we have see recently on Turkish referendum
https://tinyurl.com/laqcqt3
Because it is existentially pressing to get this in line France had to refuse taking more refugees in recent crisis because this would have been an aggravation of the situation in he already boiling "banlieu" and "old industrial" area in "Nord" area.
https://tinyurl.com/koormhp
These are serious problem to face. Because Germany had capacities it was able to make strong efforts as Ms Eddy and Mr. Lyman have shown in this ecxellent coverage
https://tinyurl.com/mp57qhp
To keep the boat afloat it cannot bear any additional burden. It is still afloat in Netherlands Germany and Austria in the eyes of the people despite huge costs, alarming crime rates and growing unemployment.
Operating social state, no permanent Ghettos and no banlieu are seen as existential - therefore crucial - by all Europeans.
Its NOT a matter of nice language, declarations or opinion.
Refugee crisis is under control since spring 2016. Thats why Mr. Rutte has recovered from worse figures at the end of 2016 and why AfD is stagnating or losing now. The crucial problem is current integration of immigrants who are already in Europe - some more than 50 years.
Integration had been only more or less succesful. Less in most French "banlieu"
https://tinyurl.com/l74lra5
and some small German quarters like Duisburg-Marxloh and Berlin "Cotti" area, mixed in Germany as we have see recently on Turkish referendum
https://tinyurl.com/laqcqt3
Because it is existentially pressing to get this in line France had to refuse taking more refugees in recent crisis because this would have been an aggravation of the situation in he already boiling "banlieu" and "old industrial" area in "Nord" area.
https://tinyurl.com/koormhp
These are serious problem to face. Because Germany had capacities it was able to make strong efforts as Ms Eddy and Mr. Lyman have shown in this ecxellent coverage
https://tinyurl.com/mp57qhp
To keep the boat afloat it cannot bear any additional burden. It is still afloat in Netherlands Germany and Austria in the eyes of the people despite huge costs, alarming crime rates and growing unemployment.
Operating social state, no permanent Ghettos and no banlieu are seen as existential - therefore crucial - by all Europeans.
Its NOT a matter of nice language, declarations or opinion.
12
Too bad the Dems didn't learn the lesson in the US expressed in the final line.
9
IOW: "You win by appealing to EMOTIONS rather than REASON." Not to mention by having some votes worth 3.8X VS others and having an Electoral College that completely screws up voting where TRUMP gets in with 2.8 million LESS THAN 50% of the popular vote and still wins! The EC needs to be dismantled as they did not save us as they were designed to do to save us from having an CHILD president.
This writer is tarring Marine Le Pen with every sin her father and party have committed for the last 40 years. It's her own fault for not convincingly made her case that she is not her father's values. Now nobody believes her when she claims otherwise.
Marine should have broken off from her party and created an entirely new one with her own separate platform. The French find it almost impossible to see her in any light than her father's antisemitism and fascism.
The European Union was a mistake and has stolen France's sovereignty and local currency. Marine is right to propose leaving the EU and returning to the Franc. Marine is the only presidential candidate that will break off from the status quo and the establishment.
It's time for Marine Le Pen!
Marine should have broken off from her party and created an entirely new one with her own separate platform. The French find it almost impossible to see her in any light than her father's antisemitism and fascism.
The European Union was a mistake and has stolen France's sovereignty and local currency. Marine is right to propose leaving the EU and returning to the Franc. Marine is the only presidential candidate that will break off from the status quo and the establishment.
It's time for Marine Le Pen!
17
She is the only one who will liberate France from the strangleholds of the Eurozone and the "EU".
I am looking forward to visiting France when she is President.
I am looking forward to visiting France when she is President.
It is very confusing to associate Merkel's--and her finance minister Schaeuble's-- "austerity" policies (which amount to pro-banking, anti-poor positions) with the left. The same appears to be true for Macron and his neo-liberal policies.
Countries with a colonialist past (UK, France, The Netherlands) or countries with a history of dependence or acceptance of other ethnic groups (the US) may indeed have little ethical room to complain about multiculturalism. But why should traditionally homogeneous cultures be branded as part of the right if they complain about being inundated by refugees of a very different cultural heritage? Who invented this totally inappropriate nonsense and for what purpose? Trump was the outcome of decades of neglect of the working class' interests under Democrats more interested in donations from Wall Street, Big Oil, and Big Pharma. When the New York Times chooses an anti-climate change skeptic as a new columnist (for "diversity's sake) it never considered its complete lack of pro-Bernie Sanders columnists.
An interesting game, this.
Countries with a colonialist past (UK, France, The Netherlands) or countries with a history of dependence or acceptance of other ethnic groups (the US) may indeed have little ethical room to complain about multiculturalism. But why should traditionally homogeneous cultures be branded as part of the right if they complain about being inundated by refugees of a very different cultural heritage? Who invented this totally inappropriate nonsense and for what purpose? Trump was the outcome of decades of neglect of the working class' interests under Democrats more interested in donations from Wall Street, Big Oil, and Big Pharma. When the New York Times chooses an anti-climate change skeptic as a new columnist (for "diversity's sake) it never considered its complete lack of pro-Bernie Sanders columnists.
An interesting game, this.
27
"But why should traditionally homogeneous cultures be branded as part of the right if they complain about being inundated by refugees of a very different cultural heritage?" Because we Germans never were that homogeneous! Here in Europe we always had people wandering around, and the languages reflect that. The whole continent is a roiling melting pot, if you look at it over span of some centuries, and the newbies we Germans got 2015 will surely not manage to "overthrow our culture" or whatever else the fear-monger claim. There came about one million people. We are over 80 million. So, particularly here in Berlin I can safely say "we are the borg, you will be assimilated". :P
I just don't see it as all Democrats fault. Don't you think that the neo liberal consensus whose two big political champions are Thatcher and Reagan has some connection to Republicans too.
What Putin and Assad spoke of, the pretext is fabricated.
Populism in Europe is playing with fire, as it seems to disregard the essential role of the European Union's interdependence: no chance for war among them. That it needs reform, particularly in relation to the common currency, the Euro, indeed. Do we really have to lose what we have, before we realize its value...and too late for redemption? Brexit may prove to be a calamity, as time will tell, and a pariah nation when not called at a time of vital decisions for survival, even greatness. And Poland and Hungary are shooting themselves in the foot by their pseudo-religious isolationism, after being saved, and integrated, once free from the Russian claws of servitude. Oh well, no one ever claimed a shortage of stupidity in our by-force petty interests.
The real problem is that the Neoliberal Utopia of the European Union has always had a dark underbelly that none of its leaders have been willing to confront.
.
For many working class people in Europe, the EU does not represent a place that is "open, integrated, and tolerant." It represents a place that has conspired against them: leaving them vulnerable to terrorist attacks, depressed wages and joblessness, deteriorating towns and a deteriorating way of life. These concerns are rooted in reality; they are valid. And until Angela Merkel and other EU leaders recognize them, empathize with them, and adjust their policies to help them - there will always be a populist backlash. We can only pray it doesn't fall into outright Neo Nazism, but it well could somewhere.
.
For many working class people in Europe, the EU does not represent a place that is "open, integrated, and tolerant." It represents a place that has conspired against them: leaving them vulnerable to terrorist attacks, depressed wages and joblessness, deteriorating towns and a deteriorating way of life. These concerns are rooted in reality; they are valid. And until Angela Merkel and other EU leaders recognize them, empathize with them, and adjust their policies to help them - there will always be a populist backlash. We can only pray it doesn't fall into outright Neo Nazism, but it well could somewhere.
42
The same thing could be said about the United States. Globalization has lifted many out of poverty across the globe, but the promoters of neoliberalism have been slow to recognize that their great projects have had victims, victims that go to the polls.
Including right here in America.
We need Le Pin to win, that will mark the the event well!
8
Speaking strictly to the German elections, I am fairly certain that unless there is some catastrophic event involvong Islamic fundamentalists, or covert Russian involvement, chance for the right-wing AfD, and ultra-right-wing NPD stand little chance of making majority splash in the Bundestag.
And while CDU-frontrunner Angela Merkel might face stark opposition from SPD-candidate Martin Schulz, she may also want to keep her eye on sister conservative party CSU's Horst Seehofer, who may have some ideas of his own.
And while CDU-frontrunner Angela Merkel might face stark opposition from SPD-candidate Martin Schulz, she may also want to keep her eye on sister conservative party CSU's Horst Seehofer, who may have some ideas of his own.
Populism subverted to an us vs them political rallying point.
Right wing populism vs left wing populism is a subversion of populism.
It is simply *the same old left wing vs right wing* with no concern for the average person.
This neo-populist logic and effort, created in the name of the majority, in reality ends up serving the interests of the wealthy, more special interests, and a selected few political opportunists.
Right wing populism vs left wing populism is a subversion of populism.
It is simply *the same old left wing vs right wing* with no concern for the average person.
This neo-populist logic and effort, created in the name of the majority, in reality ends up serving the interests of the wealthy, more special interests, and a selected few political opportunists.
4
"...Europeans who believe in an integrated, tolerant and open Continent."
In other words, those who agree with your leftists views of open borders and immigration for all.
The problem is not how to confront the "far-right", the problem is how to stop the destruction of Europe from the machinations of the self-hating left.
In other words, those who agree with your leftists views of open borders and immigration for all.
The problem is not how to confront the "far-right", the problem is how to stop the destruction of Europe from the machinations of the self-hating left.
30
"...Europeans who believe in an integrated, tolerant and open Continent."....You may think of it as a leftist view, but what was the previous result? It was a near constant state of war, shifting borders, death and destruction. There is no evidence that the prior nationalism of Europe was a great idea.
11
Many leftist are voting for Le Pen. The leftist candidate Melenchon (the Bernie) had economic ideas that were similar to Le Pens (the Trump) and so many are voting for her like many Sanders supporters who voted for Trump because the far-right economic policys and the far- left economic policys aren't that different. The far-left candidate will also probably depress turn-out which would hurt the level-headed Macron (the Clinton) and help Le Pen.
I question the far right's need or desire to promote self-annihilation.
It's the globalist left that has destroyed Europe, not the populist nationalist right.
If this author can't see that, she is ideologically blind.
If this author can't see that, she is ideologically blind.
26
She can't see it. But, she has to sell her pathetic book, which was a collection of sob stories (most only partially true) from people who called themselves "refugees".
5
Lol! Erm...no. The far- left and the far-right are basically the same when it comes to economics. For proof see the similarities between Le Pen and Melenchon or Bernie and Trump. Also, being opposed to international trade is just stupid. It's not "globalism," it's what's been going on for centuries and the only people who were traditionally opposed to it was the far left and communists.
Globalists have fused Europe into a reasonably effective European Union of nation states, though one that could be improved in a lot of ways. Prior to that, Europeans did nothing other than fight with each other. Conflict can be considered the default condition of Europe and the EU has helped to stop much of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conflicts_in_Europe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conflicts_in_Europe
Putin's armies of agents, trolls and news-faker hackers are doing a marvelous job of assisting in normalizing their evil creations in Europe and North America. Even they should now take pause and consider if their handiwork has gone too far, even for their own good.
As to how best combat them, the left needs a more coherent immigration stance and a strategic pause in identity politics campaigning along with actively fighting the fake news proponents supported by the KGB and their fearless leader.
Must get moose and squirrel!
As to how best combat them, the left needs a more coherent immigration stance and a strategic pause in identity politics campaigning along with actively fighting the fake news proponents supported by the KGB and their fearless leader.
Must get moose and squirrel!
If national identity means nothing we would still be ruled by Britain.
14
But now you have a President who has more power than a British monarch and was not elected by the majority of the people.
Repent!
Repent!
The radical Left, represented by Hollande the Failure and Barack the Globalist Ideologue will always be the problem. The Adults are now coming back in charge and those sad progressives who think that mankind is failing and they are the only ones who have solutions ti ''fix'' us are simply being sent to their rooms without supper.
Once again the angry graspers of the failing media world let their ideology warp their reporting. Are there no professionals left on the upper west side at all?
Once again the angry graspers of the failing media world let their ideology warp their reporting. Are there no professionals left on the upper west side at all?
9
No one can withstand the insatiable click count metric. All reason and talent falls before the mighty balance sheet.
"Populism" is not the same as actual "power to the people." Almost always in history it has represented a mere rhetorical disguise for an elite of wealth and/or authority to use the people for its own gain in even greater profits or power: for example, Trump and his allegedly "reworked" -- but still essentially uber-capitalist -- GOP of today. The idea of a "people's billionaire" is absurd.
7
Republicans look for Reagan to return; Democrats, FDR. He was your people's billionaire.
10 years ago, nobody was talking about the destabilization of Europe. All this has happened since the Syrian Civil War started in 2011, creating over 4 million refugees, all heading toward Europe, and some toward the United States, Canada, and Australia. Subsequently, they have been joined by millions of other economic refugees from both Northern and sub-Saharan Africa - all heading to the same destinations.
So now, per this author, "Dark clounds" are gathering over those who believe in a "tolerant, integrated, and open" Europe. Is this somehow surprising? In another article in the Times today, we read this from a Muslim immigrant in France:
"Although Ms. Seddiki said she would vote reluctantly for Mr. Macron, she feared she was an exception: “White people who say ‘You have to vote against Marine Le Pen because you will lose more than we will’ don’t realize that for us, we already live in a racist country.” NYT, 5/1/17
Is it any surprise that those who once welcomed such people with open arms are offended? And once people start tossing around insults like "racist" or "Islamophobe" discussion ends - and people are left to stew. Nothing gets resolved because every discussion is stopped with such accusations. This situation is not going to end soon, or well. This is more than mere culture clash. It's up close and personal - and as the newly arrived get ever bolder expressing their contempt for the native peoples, it gets dangerous, too.
So now, per this author, "Dark clounds" are gathering over those who believe in a "tolerant, integrated, and open" Europe. Is this somehow surprising? In another article in the Times today, we read this from a Muslim immigrant in France:
"Although Ms. Seddiki said she would vote reluctantly for Mr. Macron, she feared she was an exception: “White people who say ‘You have to vote against Marine Le Pen because you will lose more than we will’ don’t realize that for us, we already live in a racist country.” NYT, 5/1/17
Is it any surprise that those who once welcomed such people with open arms are offended? And once people start tossing around insults like "racist" or "Islamophobe" discussion ends - and people are left to stew. Nothing gets resolved because every discussion is stopped with such accusations. This situation is not going to end soon, or well. This is more than mere culture clash. It's up close and personal - and as the newly arrived get ever bolder expressing their contempt for the native peoples, it gets dangerous, too.
25
Even after the economic crash in 2009, no one was discussing the dissolution of the EU. In fact, it was just stupid lazy Greece's fault, and those Greeks had to suffer, suck it up and stay in the Union. It's really been since Merkel announced a "y'all come (and then most of you must go to other EU countries at Germany's behest)" that break up talk is really happening.
The volcano of populism is not by any means declining, but slowly rising to soon erupt. More candidates like Wilders, LePen and Hofer are rising up to protect the ideals of European citizens, who see their values being challenged by the influx of immigrants who demand to have the parity of rights the Europeans have, while not accepting the rights of the Europeans themselves. A curious paradox.. How many churches are there in Saudi Arabia? Crimes go unreported for fear of stoking the nationalism that once burned out of control consuming Europe in its ignominious flames. In Germany, the gracious host, areas of the cities have become unsafe for even the police to enter.
Brits vote is a clear mandate that they are tired of the Brussels telling them what they have to do, especially with quotas of immigrants, who quickly drain the social welfare coffers of not just Britain, but Holland, France and Germany as well leaving less for the tax paying citizens for whom it was intended. The exit voice becomes louder in Holland, France & Germany who are facing the same financial problems as well as areas even police are reluctant to enter.
Many thought Le Pen would never reach the run-off, but inspired by Trump’s win here and the citizens’ need for a voice that represents them against the onslaught of immigrants. The silent, complacent majority is becomes more outspoken as they see rights being impinged upon, communities being transformed and their cultural values being usurped.
Brits vote is a clear mandate that they are tired of the Brussels telling them what they have to do, especially with quotas of immigrants, who quickly drain the social welfare coffers of not just Britain, but Holland, France and Germany as well leaving less for the tax paying citizens for whom it was intended. The exit voice becomes louder in Holland, France & Germany who are facing the same financial problems as well as areas even police are reluctant to enter.
Many thought Le Pen would never reach the run-off, but inspired by Trump’s win here and the citizens’ need for a voice that represents them against the onslaught of immigrants. The silent, complacent majority is becomes more outspoken as they see rights being impinged upon, communities being transformed and their cultural values being usurped.
30
As the Media are currently using the term " Populism " and applying in a derogatory fashion , shows just how tone deaf they are . No wonder they were stunned when Clinton lost .
36
This opinion piece is a complete misread of current events. The author attempts to fit current societal/political trends into the framework of yesteryear. We all understand the past and cling to its lessons and patterns., as the future is never known. As the saying goes, "the future aint what it used to be".
There's probably some game theory experts in some dark, hidden think tanks that arent talking to us right now. who have a well grounded understanding of what "might" happen in the future.....but I refuse to equate European politics of today, with Europe's often violent past.
The one common factor I will note, is this.....Europe is overpopulated.....and THAT leads to problems.
A so-called "refugee" that is rowing like mad to Europe is simply jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
France will never acceed to Germanic control....nor will Germany acceed to Frankish control.....this unbroken rule goes all the way back to Charlemagne's sons...when they broke up the region known as the Holy Roman Empire(Roman Catholics....state religion, anyone?).
Thus, I think it more likely that the Political rhetoric of France will turn towards blaming the Germans and urging a slight break in the EU....with a "Latin Block"....France, Italy, Belgium, Spain....competing with the "Germanic Block"...Germany, East Europe...while a "Balkan Block' continues to struggle.
The Latins will focus on a re-colonization of North Africa to relieve the population pressures.
There's probably some game theory experts in some dark, hidden think tanks that arent talking to us right now. who have a well grounded understanding of what "might" happen in the future.....but I refuse to equate European politics of today, with Europe's often violent past.
The one common factor I will note, is this.....Europe is overpopulated.....and THAT leads to problems.
A so-called "refugee" that is rowing like mad to Europe is simply jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
France will never acceed to Germanic control....nor will Germany acceed to Frankish control.....this unbroken rule goes all the way back to Charlemagne's sons...when they broke up the region known as the Holy Roman Empire(Roman Catholics....state religion, anyone?).
Thus, I think it more likely that the Political rhetoric of France will turn towards blaming the Germans and urging a slight break in the EU....with a "Latin Block"....France, Italy, Belgium, Spain....competing with the "Germanic Block"...Germany, East Europe...while a "Balkan Block' continues to struggle.
The Latins will focus on a re-colonization of North Africa to relieve the population pressures.
3
An apt illustration. It could've been drawn during Weimar.
2
So because Germans are reporting hate crimes committed by Muslims we are supposed to believe this is a sign of something bad? Your opinion piece underestimates the non-left surge. This is because you have pushed everyone with common sense to the right by setting the bar so low and making populism a bad word. The facts clearly show that Muslims are indeed committing more crimes per capita than native non-Muslim Europeans.
26
If the EU represents anything, it represents the resurrection of the old time Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne...........complete with "Divine Right of Bankers" to rule the domain.
While the so-called "populists" use so-called "xenophobia" to build their power base.....the unspoken, implied enemy is actually the haughty, single-minded, autocratic Bureaucrats of the EU!! For it is their high-mindedness that imposed all the Hippie Utopian Rules and Regulations that created "open borders" and "standards for labelling champagne bottles", on and on and on.....just as John Lennon once "imagined".
If the EU bureaucrats dont open their eyes, especially in France, they might find themselves led Marie Antoinette-style...right up to the political guilotine.
The message from Brussels...."Let them eat cake".
While the so-called "populists" use so-called "xenophobia" to build their power base.....the unspoken, implied enemy is actually the haughty, single-minded, autocratic Bureaucrats of the EU!! For it is their high-mindedness that imposed all the Hippie Utopian Rules and Regulations that created "open borders" and "standards for labelling champagne bottles", on and on and on.....just as John Lennon once "imagined".
If the EU bureaucrats dont open their eyes, especially in France, they might find themselves led Marie Antoinette-style...right up to the political guilotine.
The message from Brussels...."Let them eat cake".
9
Populism is a tiresome trifling euphemism for white European ethnic sectarian supremacist nationalism. For half a millennia that inhumane inhuman cruel cowardly evil has moved from peak to peak in misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, war, slavery and genocide.
Since the end of World War II, America has been the focus of that lingering empire. There are more German Americans than there are any kind of ethnic national origin colored other Americans.
Since the end of World War II, America has been the focus of that lingering empire. There are more German Americans than there are any kind of ethnic national origin colored other Americans.
4
Stop using populism to mean right wing- it's uninformed
27
I'm so sick of the word "populism". When the same word is used to describe Marine Le Pen and Bernie Sanders, it has no practical meaning, except to demonize anyone who isn't gung-ho about global corporate capitalism. It's especially misleading since many of these so-called populists (e.g. Trump) are in reality very pro-corporate. Right-wing, xenophobic fascists are the problem, not "populists", whatever that might mean.
48
The TImes, as its readers point out, does not know the difference between a demagogue and populist.
The media has a negative tone re populism. But populism is what the American revolution against the King George was about. Now, some paint it as the mob rising up to defy law and order.
What's confusing to the public is populist Trump says he'll bring jobs back. But he's very pro corporate. And in Europe even the right wing parties are pro their universal health care. Here, that is painted as so left wing, it's off the table for discussion by politicians, who have to listen to their insurance mega donors.
What's confusing to the public is populist Trump says he'll bring jobs back. But he's very pro corporate. And in Europe even the right wing parties are pro their universal health care. Here, that is painted as so left wing, it's off the table for discussion by politicians, who have to listen to their insurance mega donors.
After the Dutch elections I asked a PVV (Wilders) voter if he was happy with the outcome. He said that he was because he no longer felt safe in his neighborhood because of all the foreigners that had moved in and Wilders would have more influence going forward. I asked if he meant foreigners like me (I am white and well educated) and he said no, the ones "without passports;" the ones from North Africa and "Verwegestan" (far-away-a-stan.)
It reminded me of the white flight that I witnessed growing up as people of color moved into predominantly white areas. That is a uniquely American solution to what is essentially a problem of tribalism and racial identity. The US is large enough and people move with enough frequency that there is a constant self-segregation at work; out of sight, out of mind.
Europe (especially small countries like the Netherlands) is too densely populated for that solution to work. Plenty of communities in the Netherlands are proud to take in refugees and offer to help recent immigrants assimilate. Others complain that immigrants do not even know "how to shop at Albert Heijn" (a national grocery chain.) The only long-term solution, it seems, is for bigotry to die off with the older generations the way homophobia did (to a remarkable degree in the Netherlands.) Let's hope that happens before the angry, nationalist, populist right undoes 70 years of progress towards a peaceful, unified Europe.
It reminded me of the white flight that I witnessed growing up as people of color moved into predominantly white areas. That is a uniquely American solution to what is essentially a problem of tribalism and racial identity. The US is large enough and people move with enough frequency that there is a constant self-segregation at work; out of sight, out of mind.
Europe (especially small countries like the Netherlands) is too densely populated for that solution to work. Plenty of communities in the Netherlands are proud to take in refugees and offer to help recent immigrants assimilate. Others complain that immigrants do not even know "how to shop at Albert Heijn" (a national grocery chain.) The only long-term solution, it seems, is for bigotry to die off with the older generations the way homophobia did (to a remarkable degree in the Netherlands.) Let's hope that happens before the angry, nationalist, populist right undoes 70 years of progress towards a peaceful, unified Europe.
3
If you want to 'wait for bigotry to die off' in The Netherlands, please don't hold your breath. Last March, Wilders got the vote of only 6% of people aged 65+, while 8% of all people 18-35 voted for him. Presently Wilders is 25% more popular among the young than among the elderly.
I am not sure that I agree with your use of the word 'bigotry'. Surely, Wilders is radical in his views on islam, on the EU, and on the problems associated with mass immigration. But he is not a racist, nor a racial hate mongerer. I don't like him, too; but there is ample reason to at least try to understand why common, not stupid, not bigoted people, turn to Wilders.
I am not sure that I agree with your use of the word 'bigotry'. Surely, Wilders is radical in his views on islam, on the EU, and on the problems associated with mass immigration. But he is not a racist, nor a racial hate mongerer. I don't like him, too; but there is ample reason to at least try to understand why common, not stupid, not bigoted people, turn to Wilders.
Why exclude the "Right-wing" modifier for "Populism" from the title?
Of course, few modify the momemt's "populism" at all. But doesn't anyone recall the 1886-1896 populist movement, largest leftist, economically organized social movement in U.S. history (or Bernie Sanders)?
Of course, few modify the momemt's "populism" at all. But doesn't anyone recall the 1886-1896 populist movement, largest leftist, economically organized social movement in U.S. history (or Bernie Sanders)?
2
It would appear that emotions play the crucial role in national elections, both here and abroad leading us into war.
U.S. examples:
Spanish-America War - Hearst Newspaper propaganda.
WW 1 - Panic regarding Germany and unrestricted submarine warfare.
WW 2- The bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Vietnam - The fear of communistic spread.
Afghanistan - Fear of Taliban.
Iraq - Fear of weapons of mass destruction.
Of course, in these cases, there were real underlying causes, (some good, some not so good). Regardless, war leaves swaths of huge amounts of suffering and death. Politicians learned a long time ago that playing to peoples emotions, rather than rational understand is the key.
So, which will be Trump's war? North Korea (fear of a Nuclear attack)? The middle east? (fear of Sharia law spread)? Only time will tell.
U.S. examples:
Spanish-America War - Hearst Newspaper propaganda.
WW 1 - Panic regarding Germany and unrestricted submarine warfare.
WW 2- The bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Vietnam - The fear of communistic spread.
Afghanistan - Fear of Taliban.
Iraq - Fear of weapons of mass destruction.
Of course, in these cases, there were real underlying causes, (some good, some not so good). Regardless, war leaves swaths of huge amounts of suffering and death. Politicians learned a long time ago that playing to peoples emotions, rather than rational understand is the key.
So, which will be Trump's war? North Korea (fear of a Nuclear attack)? The middle east? (fear of Sharia law spread)? Only time will tell.
2
Thank you Ms.Gibson for the ray of hope you outlined in your article, however, like Yogi said," it’s not over till it’s over”.Who should know better than Democrats like myself.
Immigrants are still the stumbling block for progressive Europeans, it will depend upon the speed of assimilation of the immigrants as to how long the European openness will survive.Each terrorist atrocity damages the moderate element in Europe, & enforces extremists like LePen.
Immigrants are still the stumbling block for progressive Europeans, it will depend upon the speed of assimilation of the immigrants as to how long the European openness will survive.Each terrorist atrocity damages the moderate element in Europe, & enforces extremists like LePen.
3
Interesting article. However it fails to give an explanation on the reasons, populism is so attractive to so many people.
One of the main reasons, is the fact that the political establishment is inceasingly disconnecting from reality and is unwilling to accept, that many people are overwhelmed by the speed of change and the quick erosion of values.
Particularly mass migration of poorly educated people from alien cultures and their inability to integrate are challenging people's identity.
In such an environment, people with apparent simple answers are felt to be remedy to the uncertainties.
Mainstream politicians respond with ivory tower arguments of human rights, christian obligations of charity etc.
The day to day experience of the average person with migrants is quite different
to what politicians want to make believe. They observe almost daily, that migrants and refugees are exploiting the good will of people. They observe that they have to compete for a job with a migrants, they experience, that migrants are increasingly hollowing the social welfare system.
Under such circumstances it is not suprising that people flock to the Le Pen's, Wilders, Pediga, AfD etc.
Everybody knows that Le Pen is not the answer. Her proposed economic programme is neo communism. She will, if elected drive France further to the wall.
But most of her supporters are of the opinion, that they have nothing to lose and it can only get better with her.
One of the main reasons, is the fact that the political establishment is inceasingly disconnecting from reality and is unwilling to accept, that many people are overwhelmed by the speed of change and the quick erosion of values.
Particularly mass migration of poorly educated people from alien cultures and their inability to integrate are challenging people's identity.
In such an environment, people with apparent simple answers are felt to be remedy to the uncertainties.
Mainstream politicians respond with ivory tower arguments of human rights, christian obligations of charity etc.
The day to day experience of the average person with migrants is quite different
to what politicians want to make believe. They observe almost daily, that migrants and refugees are exploiting the good will of people. They observe that they have to compete for a job with a migrants, they experience, that migrants are increasingly hollowing the social welfare system.
Under such circumstances it is not suprising that people flock to the Le Pen's, Wilders, Pediga, AfD etc.
Everybody knows that Le Pen is not the answer. Her proposed economic programme is neo communism. She will, if elected drive France further to the wall.
But most of her supporters are of the opinion, that they have nothing to lose and it can only get better with her.
16
Now that we have yet another article featuring the term "populism", some of us would welcome an explanation of what it actually means to those who throw it around so freely. Clearly its definition differs among writers: one concluded a rare explication with "xenophobic authoritarianism". But another described Steven Spielberg as a populist storyteller. Clearly not in the same ballpark.
A reader can gather that for most writers it has something to do with rejecting elites and speaking on behalf of the people. But since Progressives generally use it as a negative brand, it is generally implied that it is linked with racism and other standard epithets such as "nativism" (also not clearly defined by its users) so that we can be unambiguously certain that populists are bad people.
Can we appeal to our opinion leaders to come to some consensus on what populism means? Then it can take its proper place in the long list of "-ist" words that we use to characterize the many bad actors in our current dark era.
A reader can gather that for most writers it has something to do with rejecting elites and speaking on behalf of the people. But since Progressives generally use it as a negative brand, it is generally implied that it is linked with racism and other standard epithets such as "nativism" (also not clearly defined by its users) so that we can be unambiguously certain that populists are bad people.
Can we appeal to our opinion leaders to come to some consensus on what populism means? Then it can take its proper place in the long list of "-ist" words that we use to characterize the many bad actors in our current dark era.
8
I share your frustration at the loose use of this term. One way to think about it is this: populism is not an ideology, it's a *style* of politics that encompasses many things but its basic premise is that it pits "the people" against "the establishment."
It can be from the left, in which case it's usually purely class-based (think Bernie Sanders, or go back to Huey Long!) or it can be from the right in which case it's got a class component but also a xenophobic one that blames not only the elites, but also foreigners/minorities etc.
That is to say, different so-called "populist" movements define who is "the people" and who is "establishment" differently, but that central, vigorous antagonism is always there and it always arises when there is either inequality or a sense of national humiliation. Sometimes it's absorbed into the existing parties (as FDR did with HUey Long) and sometimes it overcomes them and becomes hideously authoritarian (interwar Europe.)
I hope that helps. John Judis' recent book on the subject is very good -- though it inexplicably omits interwar fascism from the typology in a way that makes little sense.
It can be from the left, in which case it's usually purely class-based (think Bernie Sanders, or go back to Huey Long!) or it can be from the right in which case it's got a class component but also a xenophobic one that blames not only the elites, but also foreigners/minorities etc.
That is to say, different so-called "populist" movements define who is "the people" and who is "establishment" differently, but that central, vigorous antagonism is always there and it always arises when there is either inequality or a sense of national humiliation. Sometimes it's absorbed into the existing parties (as FDR did with HUey Long) and sometimes it overcomes them and becomes hideously authoritarian (interwar Europe.)
I hope that helps. John Judis' recent book on the subject is very good -- though it inexplicably omits interwar fascism from the typology in a way that makes little sense.
Thats exactly the message i have posted on the histeric far cry of mr. Cohen, and the dreamingful plot of mr. Douthat ( it's a conicidence they are both republicans?!).
Anyway this article points on the right problem marking the raising of authoritarian parties as steadily part of the politics in european western countries, but miss the big elephant in the room, the Eastern europen countries.
There the threat is higher for two reason
1) They are countries only recently getting out of the russian influence, which is far from being diminished on the economoc side, as the ukrainian crisis has demonstrated. Moreso, mr. Putin has a very instrumental role in the area, both militarly ( ammassing troops on the border near baltic countries ) and economically ( i mention only the gas pipe project southstream to bring gas to europe bypassing ukraine, years in the making).
2) They are struggling economically more than their counterpart in the western. This is partly a problem of have joined the europen union too recently, and not having benefitted wholesome, and the recent wave of refugees who are passing through their territories by the hundreds of thousands. If that sounds populistic, just take a look at how frantically a single camp of hundred refugees in Calais was administered by the french government.
As much as Germany was very useful in relieving the onus from those countries, it still refuses to acknowledge the operational costs they sustained as humanitarian instead of debt.
Anyway this article points on the right problem marking the raising of authoritarian parties as steadily part of the politics in european western countries, but miss the big elephant in the room, the Eastern europen countries.
There the threat is higher for two reason
1) They are countries only recently getting out of the russian influence, which is far from being diminished on the economoc side, as the ukrainian crisis has demonstrated. Moreso, mr. Putin has a very instrumental role in the area, both militarly ( ammassing troops on the border near baltic countries ) and economically ( i mention only the gas pipe project southstream to bring gas to europe bypassing ukraine, years in the making).
2) They are struggling economically more than their counterpart in the western. This is partly a problem of have joined the europen union too recently, and not having benefitted wholesome, and the recent wave of refugees who are passing through their territories by the hundreds of thousands. If that sounds populistic, just take a look at how frantically a single camp of hundred refugees in Calais was administered by the french government.
As much as Germany was very useful in relieving the onus from those countries, it still refuses to acknowledge the operational costs they sustained as humanitarian instead of debt.
1
All all one reads is "Far Right" but in truth many of the policies advocated by the so-called Far Right; the resistance to globalism and the offshoring of jobs, stopping the onshoring of cheap labour, protecting the living standards, and deep misgivings about the influence of totalitarian Islamist thought, are in fact tradional leftist thinking. So the whole left right demarcation is mixed up but some commentators do not see it.
8
I agree with the statement by another commenter (“Green Tea”) that “Working people want a party that will represent their interests.” However, as Piketty noted, the world’s economic machinery has evolved to a point where capital is rapidly replacing labor. The interests of working people, not to mention the unemployed, won’t be served by throwing sand in the gears of globalization and capitalism (by voting for Trump, or LePen, for example), but would be by a more equitable distribution of the return on capital, i.e., progressive taxation and spending on the common good (education, healthcare, housing, the environment, etc.) and economic security, perhaps a universal basic income. And how would that ever come to pass, when all the power resides with the neoliberal “elites”? When they’re vastly outnumbered by the rest of us. And we’re heading that way.
3
Europe's next crucial election is actually in June in the UK.
In this election the only populist party is the SNP, a party that manages to combine hard-left social policies, extreme nationalism and a pro-EU outlook. But that doesn't fit easily into the author's stereotyping so she happily ignores it.
In continental Europe, the collapse of AfD in Germany and a Macron victory in France simply reinforces a more-of-the-same approach . Whether that is a good thing or not is up for debate but I would suggest it is unlikely to slay the dragon of populism that McDonald-Gibson fears so much.
The European Union needs reform - even Macron is saying it - but it cannot bring itself to make the necessary changes. This inflexible attitude has already cost the Union Britain's membership and a continued head-in-the-sand approach is likely to cause more damage in the years ahead.
In this election the only populist party is the SNP, a party that manages to combine hard-left social policies, extreme nationalism and a pro-EU outlook. But that doesn't fit easily into the author's stereotyping so she happily ignores it.
In continental Europe, the collapse of AfD in Germany and a Macron victory in France simply reinforces a more-of-the-same approach . Whether that is a good thing or not is up for debate but I would suggest it is unlikely to slay the dragon of populism that McDonald-Gibson fears so much.
The European Union needs reform - even Macron is saying it - but it cannot bring itself to make the necessary changes. This inflexible attitude has already cost the Union Britain's membership and a continued head-in-the-sand approach is likely to cause more damage in the years ahead.
3
The definition of populism is "concerns of ordinary people". "Popular" in its simplest dress. There is left-wing populism and right-wing populism. Populism itself has no negative denotations. If anything populism separates democracy from royalty. It should not take a retired biologist to point this out to journalists.
41
Although this article allegedly warns against complacency it cannot resist the temptation. Macron "will be rewarded" for not being Le Pen: the vote for the FN has been rising steadily since 2002, consisting largely of people ignored and sneered at by the author of this article and her clique. Macron will find that even if he is elected he will be hard pressed to implement policies opposed by most French people outside Parisian cafes
20
I still see Le Pen winning. The parallels between her and Trump are many. So is the common thinking about the two countries: France is France and the US is the US, neither is divisible. But the cities are not the whole of either country. Trump got 5% of the vote in San Francisco, Le Pen poles 5% in Paris. Look to the Rust Belts, the farm districts in both countries. There you will find unhappy campers, beset by falling incomes. The price of wine is down worldwide.
14
The French do not have the stupidity of the electoral college.
This is an overly one sided and unbalanced view of European politics. Traditionally, many on the European left as well as on the right have been Eurosceptics. Especially since the onerous fiscal conditions imposed on Greece, Eurosceptism on the left is once more on the rise, in the UK, France and elsewhere. This is even without considering the thorny issue of immigration.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/left-reject-eu-gre...
I've been a passionate supporter of the concept of a United Europe since the '60s. Much good has been achieved by what was first the European Common Market that is now the EU.
Nevertheless, all human affairs move in cycles and the EU's time is coming to an end. We need a new Europe, one consisting of a loosely knit bloc of small sovereign states that reflect local identities rather than of the superstates of the 19th century.
For example, rather than the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (what the US media at all times insists upon calling 'Britain'), we need to return to the separate, distinct sovereign states of England, Wales, Scotland, the Shetlands, Ireland and Cornwall. In my view, the best working model for this new order is the Swiss model of independent cantons.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/left-reject-eu-gre...
I've been a passionate supporter of the concept of a United Europe since the '60s. Much good has been achieved by what was first the European Common Market that is now the EU.
Nevertheless, all human affairs move in cycles and the EU's time is coming to an end. We need a new Europe, one consisting of a loosely knit bloc of small sovereign states that reflect local identities rather than of the superstates of the 19th century.
For example, rather than the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (what the US media at all times insists upon calling 'Britain'), we need to return to the separate, distinct sovereign states of England, Wales, Scotland, the Shetlands, Ireland and Cornwall. In my view, the best working model for this new order is the Swiss model of independent cantons.
18
Thank God for Marine Le Pen. I am an American citizen and also a proud member of the National Front. The FN is the leading European organization fighting for Western civilization and its people. There are others of course (e.g. Geert Wilders in Holland, Norbert Hofer in Austria), but the FN is the leader and Marine Le Pen has a good chance of winning the French presidential election. The rest of the political parties in France seem intent on turning the country into a Third World country populated with Third World people. Jean Raspail warned about this 40 years ago in his book ‘Camp of the Saints’ and Marine Le Pen is the only leader in France fighting against this. I encourage all of my fellow Americans (and anyone who loves Western civilization) to support her and become a member of the National Front.
19
Le Pen, and her party + leadership is under heavy imbessling charges. Many of the top members are Nazi affiliated. She is not a leader, she is just another populist divider of people.
On the final point of this essay, "matching the emotions of the nationalists," the author's side will always lose. Hearts don't flutter over the "European idea," whereas "the nation and the culture" truly move many people.
5
I respectfully disagree. Portraying Trump and Brexit as the first dominoes in the rise of populism is a commonly repeated fallacy in British and American media. What we are seeing in the EU today is what has already happened in Flanders, which had its first major breakthrough of an extreme right party in 1991 (Vlaams Blok, later rebranded to Vlaams Belang) as a backlash against immigration. After over a decade of excluding that same extreme party from power (a policy called cordon sanitaire), which was counterproductive, a new party (N-VA) emerged with a mix of normal policy and identity politics which convinced the extreme voters. The extreme right Vlaams Belang is no longer of any significance in Flanders today.
We are seeing the same today in the Netherlands, where acting prime minister Mark Rutte has "successfully" adopted identity politics (e.g. his "be normal or go away" to immigrants). Macron might succeed in fending off Le Pen by uniting all the anti-votes now but mainstream France will unfortunately also need identity politics to defeat her long term. The Democrats and Labour have still not figured it out...
We are seeing the same today in the Netherlands, where acting prime minister Mark Rutte has "successfully" adopted identity politics (e.g. his "be normal or go away" to immigrants). Macron might succeed in fending off Le Pen by uniting all the anti-votes now but mainstream France will unfortunately also need identity politics to defeat her long term. The Democrats and Labour have still not figured it out...
4
As long as Putin rules Russia and invades cyberspace around the world fomenting hatred, xenophobia, Islamophobia "populism" will persist. While conspiracy theories are largely sad attempts to connect dots where there are none, observing Putin's influence around the world is compelling and overlooked and replete with connected dots.
Populism/nationalism, clamor for a "strong man" was promoted by Putin, the Koch's' Tea Party and their friends, Breitbart, FOX, rushed to exploit the depressed post collapse terrorized population in America.
Putin is busy at work throughout Europe and will not relent. Brexit/Farange/May/LePen are all of a piece that concludes with extremism and authoritarianism. Erosion and collapse of liberal democracy is the goal of the former KGB officer who wants the Russian Empire back. Putin will persist as long as he is not named and exposed and denounced.
Populism/nationalism, clamor for a "strong man" was promoted by Putin, the Koch's' Tea Party and their friends, Breitbart, FOX, rushed to exploit the depressed post collapse terrorized population in America.
Putin is busy at work throughout Europe and will not relent. Brexit/Farange/May/LePen are all of a piece that concludes with extremism and authoritarianism. Erosion and collapse of liberal democracy is the goal of the former KGB officer who wants the Russian Empire back. Putin will persist as long as he is not named and exposed and denounced.
2
Dear Ms. McDonald-Gibson,
Basically, what you and many other writers are telling us is that North America, Europe, Russia, China, etc., etc. learned NOTHING from World War One and World War Two, with narrow minded people blaming everyone but themselves for the problems they are generating.
Well there IS something to be said for "consistency", isn't there?
The line for "scapegoats" forms on the right, if you please.
Basically, what you and many other writers are telling us is that North America, Europe, Russia, China, etc., etc. learned NOTHING from World War One and World War Two, with narrow minded people blaming everyone but themselves for the problems they are generating.
Well there IS something to be said for "consistency", isn't there?
The line for "scapegoats" forms on the right, if you please.
8
Part of the so called populism is the issue of immigration. It is so hard to have a rational discussion on this, when terms like right and left are used. I suspect most people base their views on their own experiences. A friend's spouse was killed by an illegal immigrant. I suspect that impacts his views. My surgeon was from India and did a great job, that impacts one's views. Another friend runs a business and has Muslim immigrants come in and refuse to deal with female employees. He says, sorry, deal with them or go elsewhere. That impacts your views. At dinner the other night at a Mexican restaurant, the Mexican immigrants were impressively hard workers. That impacts your views. I suspect it is the same in Europe. You see good and bad. If you see more bad, you react in one direction, more good, another. Simple minded left and right commentary does little to shed light.
38
I like the nuanced, rational tone of your post in the midst of so many convoluted and opinionated replies to this piece.
1
We must start to agree that immigration does not benefit the average citizen.
Also that there are bad immigrants, ones who want to murder us.
Also that there are bad immigrants, ones who want to murder us.
If only that were true. Neo-Nazis all across Europe have racialist ideas which the act upon in their support of extreme right parties. And sad to say, America is filled with white supremacists, supporters of the Confederacy, and ordinary racists who fill the ranks of the anti-immigration movement in America.
Even the most die hard supporters of the EU feel no emotional connection with "Europe". France, Germany and the rest of the Continent were an unholy mess in 1945, and the sudden affection for something called "Europe" was a reaction and response to what had gone before. Britain was in an entirely different position, and any emotional link was, and largely remains, with the Old Commonwealth and the East Coast of the United States, which share our language, history and culture. There is no more embarrassing sight than to see Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, et al., whose recent ancestors fought and died for us, in long queues at immigration, while Germans, Italians, French, Dutch, Belgians, et al., whose recent forebears sought to eliminate us or threw away their weapons fairly smartly, niftily go through the fast lane. The Common Market, EEC, EU, or whatever brand name it adopts, has always been about economics and now includes immigration. Any politician or pundit uttering the sentimental and pretty meaningless twaddle of Macron would have been laughed off the stump over here.
7
The Times should stop using the term "populist". It suggest someone who tells people what they want to hear - and who tends to lie in the process. So this term de-legitimizes those movements. A better term would be non-establishment.
Gibson likes people like Macron and Klaver. I consider them empty suits. They represent the tendency on the left that started with Tony Blair: fielding relatively young smart and handsome men who radiate hope but who in fact are liberals who don't care about the traditional left economic issues.
Gibson likes people like Macron and Klaver. I consider them empty suits. They represent the tendency on the left that started with Tony Blair: fielding relatively young smart and handsome men who radiate hope but who in fact are liberals who don't care about the traditional left economic issues.
8
Rutte was returned as leader of the biggest party in the Netherlands BECAUSE he showed understanding of the Dutch concern with immigration from Africa, not in spite of it. After he did so, his party's fall stopped, and Wilder's rise reversed.
More European integration is needed, as is more LEGAL migration by educated, skilled foreigners, especially from Eastern Europe and Eastern and Southeast Asia. But the Netherlands has gotten a big fiscal burden and a surge in crime from North African immigration, and as economic migrants flow at higher rates from Africa, both north and south, and the Middle East, the problem will only grow greater. Not all cultures or immigrants are equal; the job of government includes filtering them and saying no to some.
More European integration is needed, as is more LEGAL migration by educated, skilled foreigners, especially from Eastern Europe and Eastern and Southeast Asia. But the Netherlands has gotten a big fiscal burden and a surge in crime from North African immigration, and as economic migrants flow at higher rates from Africa, both north and south, and the Middle East, the problem will only grow greater. Not all cultures or immigrants are equal; the job of government includes filtering them and saying no to some.
10
Emotions will always trump rational analysis in an election. No matter if you enroll an army of university professors to show their peer-reviewed analyses to prove the validity of your position on any given topic, it will always be the loudest, most charismatic "entertainer" in the room to capture the attention of the majority. In most modern democracies only a minority of people possess enough information, education, attention span and analytical ability to make fully informed decisions about complex economic, social and global policies.
One of the most telling comments I heard from a relative who was enthralled by Trump's speeches was that "he tells it like it is" - meaning, Trump's oversimplification of complex, multi-dimensional problems is the way to reach the majority of unsophisticated voters. These people are easily swayed by "charismatic figures" who simplify the complexity of the world to a level they can understand, no matter that such oversimplification can lead to awfully wrong conclusions about just about everything.
The world's liberals, intellectual thinkers and open-minded globalists need to smarten up and find their "Carl Sagan" charismatic figure to sell their vision to the masses, just as NASA did back in the '60s and '70s about the space exploration program.
One of the most telling comments I heard from a relative who was enthralled by Trump's speeches was that "he tells it like it is" - meaning, Trump's oversimplification of complex, multi-dimensional problems is the way to reach the majority of unsophisticated voters. These people are easily swayed by "charismatic figures" who simplify the complexity of the world to a level they can understand, no matter that such oversimplification can lead to awfully wrong conclusions about just about everything.
The world's liberals, intellectual thinkers and open-minded globalists need to smarten up and find their "Carl Sagan" charismatic figure to sell their vision to the masses, just as NASA did back in the '60s and '70s about the space exploration program.
12
Ahem, cough, Sanders, cough.
You're right about the need to simplify the message so those with limited education can understand it. So here's my recommendation for the Democrats message in 2018:
Universal health care now -- because no other policy matters to you if you're dead. You don't need a job if you're dead. You don't need an education if you're dead. You don't need defense, infrastructure, or energy if you're dead. You don't care about gun rights or gay rights if you're dead. Being alive is a prerequisite for benefiting from anything else. So health care for every American first.
Universal health care now -- because no other policy matters to you if you're dead. You don't need a job if you're dead. You don't need an education if you're dead. You don't need defense, infrastructure, or energy if you're dead. You don't care about gun rights or gay rights if you're dead. Being alive is a prerequisite for benefiting from anything else. So health care for every American first.
Populism hasn't peaked, but the EU has.
17
Perhaps calming the emotions is a better way. Emotions may be one way to direct attention to an issue. But then it needs to be balanced with thoughtful learning and understanding. We are all capable of this. Leave the rabble-rousers to the dustbin of history. It is time for maturity to win out. But this means we should not downplay the real problems we need to confront -- and things like immigration/migrants/wars are not black and white issues. Learn to deal with complexity -- it is what reality is comprised of.
2
Economic troubles, a distant and out of touch authority in Brussels, and shoving immigrants who don't want to assimilate down people's throats have caused the rise of the New Right.
The powers that be in Europe may do enough about the latter two problems to satisfy a majority of voters, but the economic issues are in fact unsolvable. The single currency dooms the unproductive south of Europe to bondage at the hands of the productive north. So long as the euro lives, there is no way out of that situation. And that means poverty in the south, and resentment in the north at having to bail the south out. North and south must, eventually, separate.
A smaller union focused on northern Europe would be quite viable, even if France left. But its power and authority in the world would inevitably diminish. The question then becomes: does it lean toward Russia, or America? And that depends to a great degree on whether the foreign population can be integrated into Europe (and is willing to assimilate). If not, then Europe's natural ally in the struggle with Islam is Russia. The "Lisbon to Vladivostok" idea of Europe may win out, leaving America isolated and surrounded by a hostile Europe-Russia grouping on one side, and a hostile China on the other.
The powers that be in Europe may do enough about the latter two problems to satisfy a majority of voters, but the economic issues are in fact unsolvable. The single currency dooms the unproductive south of Europe to bondage at the hands of the productive north. So long as the euro lives, there is no way out of that situation. And that means poverty in the south, and resentment in the north at having to bail the south out. North and south must, eventually, separate.
A smaller union focused on northern Europe would be quite viable, even if France left. But its power and authority in the world would inevitably diminish. The question then becomes: does it lean toward Russia, or America? And that depends to a great degree on whether the foreign population can be integrated into Europe (and is willing to assimilate). If not, then Europe's natural ally in the struggle with Islam is Russia. The "Lisbon to Vladivostok" idea of Europe may win out, leaving America isolated and surrounded by a hostile Europe-Russia grouping on one side, and a hostile China on the other.
1
Traditional politicians, who ignore the sentiments behind populism, have little chance to win. In the US an impulsive narcissist may have won because Hillary was a very bad candidate, but in Europe there are real reasons to be concerned about the negative effects of immigration and the balloon size of the Euro-Brussels bureaucracy. Francois Fillion lost in France because he did something that many other (French) politicians have been doing for years, but nowadays when things get talked about in the press and online, you do not get away with it anymore.
Populist politicians play a role by waking up the other more traditional politicians. It is up to the latter to step up to the plate or lose their turn to play.
Populist politicians play a role by waking up the other more traditional politicians. It is up to the latter to step up to the plate or lose their turn to play.
4
From the panic that characterizes these anti Pen, various, commenters, Mme Le Pen has a better chance to win, than her numbers show.
How do we say 'Brady effect' in French ?
=
Somehow, the notion that people voting for national identity has become anathema, how does such a thing happen, that collective self-defense, implemented by pluralistic democracy, in literate and educated countries, is a moral crime, and how does it come as such a surprise, although bubble-ism and denialism, travel close together, fellow travelers
This is ALL Barack Obama's legacy, the rise of nationalism, an unintended one, albeit welcome and beyond, didn't really take long to unravel the last eight years, at least to get started
How do we say 'Brady effect' in French ?
=
Somehow, the notion that people voting for national identity has become anathema, how does such a thing happen, that collective self-defense, implemented by pluralistic democracy, in literate and educated countries, is a moral crime, and how does it come as such a surprise, although bubble-ism and denialism, travel close together, fellow travelers
This is ALL Barack Obama's legacy, the rise of nationalism, an unintended one, albeit welcome and beyond, didn't really take long to unravel the last eight years, at least to get started
8
Barrack "Dont Call me Barry" Obama gave lip-service to "Change".
"Change you can believe in" was observed to be more like Marie Antoinette's statement about the common folk...."Let them eat Cake".
Possibly with similar results.
"Change you can believe in" was observed to be more like Marie Antoinette's statement about the common folk...."Let them eat Cake".
Possibly with similar results.
4
And we should give credence to this comment when you can't even master the correct spelling of Barack Obama's name?
Oh please. Just wait until your healthcare disappears and taxes go up on the "common folk" to fund the ultra-wealthy.
Get ready to eat cake.
Oh please. Just wait until your healthcare disappears and taxes go up on the "common folk" to fund the ultra-wealthy.
Get ready to eat cake.
Very good article, in particular in not only describing the problem but also outlining the possible solution.
However, I liked the illustration by Victor Kerlow even more. If dictionaries were illustrated, it would be perfect to describe "populism" - sometimes a picture really says more than a 1000 words.
However, I liked the illustration by Victor Kerlow even more. If dictionaries were illustrated, it would be perfect to describe "populism" - sometimes a picture really says more than a 1000 words.
2
Another simple-minded pro-globalization appeal to the tolerant among the population, those living in multi-cultural cities, working in the service industries, who visit immigrant enclaves as tourists. Not much to offer to those living in smaller towns or the countryside where an influx of refugees can be a real burden on social services. Also not addressing the corruption and neocolonial aspects of globalization. Shouting about how great it is to be tolerant isn't enough. Pro-global politicians have to shed their ties to big business and banking and produce positive results.
119
I'm curious: which countryside are you, writing from Brooklyn, referring to where the influx of refugees is so intolerable? It is not true that regions where the parties of the extreme right are strongest are disproportionately affected by immigration and refugee settlement, to the contrary, and what do you think makes the cities multi-cultural, if not immigration?
@mijosc
All true but the sequence is different, globalization was set free by politicians, e.g. Pres. Clinton who were advocates of Free Trade as a component of Free Markets pushed by the neo-liberalism set in motion by Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises. No consideration was give to the employment effect beyond David Ricaro’s classic 19th C. argument of comparative advantage. Those forces intensified the developing Inequality. Neo-Liberalism was not uniquely American, Europe followed suite.
But yes the business elite loved its financial effects.
All true but the sequence is different, globalization was set free by politicians, e.g. Pres. Clinton who were advocates of Free Trade as a component of Free Markets pushed by the neo-liberalism set in motion by Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises. No consideration was give to the employment effect beyond David Ricaro’s classic 19th C. argument of comparative advantage. Those forces intensified the developing Inequality. Neo-Liberalism was not uniquely American, Europe followed suite.
But yes the business elite loved its financial effects.
I have to agree to an extent but it is not globalisation per se that is at fault but the inability of the left to foresee that globalisation was inevitably going to strengthen the strong and weaken the weak -- even though it has pulled the millions out of absolute poverty. This failure to intervene in the "free" market has produced a not so "free" market giving economic power to the most powerful and with it political power. Pro-global politicians must not only shed their ties with big business and big banks, they must act to reduce that concentration of economic and political power.
I commend this essay's realism about the still-increasing strength of populism and anti-EU sentiments in Europe and how it can be countered.
European leaders however need to demonstrate not just the aspirational appeal of Europe's ideals, but also its practical benefits.
I think Macron is on to something when he talks about how the EU must be there to protect France and the French, and give them enough clout to defend their interests in a turbulent world.
I would now like to see some actual proposals being put on the table.
European leaders however need to demonstrate not just the aspirational appeal of Europe's ideals, but also its practical benefits.
I think Macron is on to something when he talks about how the EU must be there to protect France and the French, and give them enough clout to defend their interests in a turbulent world.
I would now like to see some actual proposals being put on the table.
2
You'll wait a long time for Macron to put any solid proposals on the table. Most of his ideas have already been rejected by the French Assembly. Like Clinton, the only thing he can "promise" is more pseudo-socialist garbage and idiotic phrases. He has been Hollande's Economics minster for the past four years, so nothing is new. And Macron has NO members of his party in Parliament. His vacuous appeals for "open borders and tolerance" come at a pretty inopportune time...more than 240 French people have been murdered the past few years by muslims who have been "tolerated" by European society for too long. Macron is not the answer. He is looking for anything to differentiate himself from LePen, I understand, but spouting this "love all illegal immigrants" garbage is not the way to do it.
7
David, I see you live in Brussels, and assume, rightly or wrongly, that you have a personal interest in supporting the Bureaucracy of the EU which autocraticly imposes all those regulations and "open borders" and "quality standards for regional cheeses", etc, etc.
The EU does NOT represent the so-called "people".....the EU structure is built on the "Divine Right of Bankers" to rule the land.
Greece dug in its heels in an odd, corrupt way to protest the arbitrary rule of Bankers.
Britain, thank god, did the English Thing....and simply ignored those silly bureaucrats in Brussels and went back to the practical stiff upper lip English way of mismanaging a country. The Brits have their own Bankers....they dont need a Banker appointed by the Pope(or whom-ever).
And now France may roll out the guillotine for the Bankers.
the word from Brussels...."Let them eat cake".
The EU does NOT represent the so-called "people".....the EU structure is built on the "Divine Right of Bankers" to rule the land.
Greece dug in its heels in an odd, corrupt way to protest the arbitrary rule of Bankers.
Britain, thank god, did the English Thing....and simply ignored those silly bureaucrats in Brussels and went back to the practical stiff upper lip English way of mismanaging a country. The Brits have their own Bankers....they dont need a Banker appointed by the Pope(or whom-ever).
And now France may roll out the guillotine for the Bankers.
the word from Brussels...."Let them eat cake".
2
Who says populism has peaked? The French election is not at all a done deal. According to polls, the Front National's candidate is at about 40%, much higher then the 25% they mustered last time they made it into the runoff.
I would start to think about being optimistic when both France and Germany are done with their election and have returned solid centrist governments. Until then, all bets are off.
I would start to think about being optimistic when both France and Germany are done with their election and have returned solid centrist governments. Until then, all bets are off.
3
If the economic and social pressure on average people does not lift under moderate governments, those moderate governments will eventually be replaced, after much strife, with immoderate ones. It is far too soon to tell whether this era of populist sentiment will end with the re-election of Chancellor Merkel and the election of Mr. Macron. Far too early.
3
The media bear a lot of responsibility for the rise of the populists, their outlandish statements make good press. The amount of coverage given to Trump by media, that disagreed with him, was free publicity. The same applies to Wilders, Le Pen et al. who get publicity way above their popularity, both at about 20% core vote in recent elections. In this era of industrial change, as traditional jobs go, a protest vote of 25-30% is to be expected.
6
Typical. The writer never once acknowledges the reasons Le Pen and other Euro-skeptic leaders are popular with ordinary people. She hopes her readers will forget the economic and social damage globalism has imposed upon millions of citizens in western countries. She wishes to cast both patriotism and democracy in the most negative light possible, but for centuries citizenship has meant protection for millions, and their nationality is a source of community and JUSTIFIED pride. What the globalists want, though they seldom admit it, is an end to the nation state. Just like extremely wealthy John Lennon, they live in secure, well protected palaces and villas, far from the working class masses, where they "imagine there's no countries".
108
The writer called "me from Earth" takes a sound argument and wrecks it by invoking the late John Lennon, who imagined a better world but was gunned down in the one we actually have.
3
Speaking of Merkel and others moving towards the nationalists and losing votes because of it, look what's happened to the European workers' parties. Britain's Labour and France's Socialists both adopted Neoliberal ideology and now neither commands even 20% of the vote.
Working people want a party that will represent their interests. If all the elite-led parties promote policies designed only to create higher profits for commerce and banking the workers will be left with nowhere to turn but to the anti-immigrant parties.
Working people want a party that will represent their interests. If all the elite-led parties promote policies designed only to create higher profits for commerce and banking the workers will be left with nowhere to turn but to the anti-immigrant parties.
59
@Green Tea
Yes working people want a party to support their interest but both the social democrats and the conservatives have drank the neo-liberal cool-aid and lost their way for any but the ‘successful.’ The American equivalent is easy to find and thus an unlabeled Hope gets elected only to show the extreme of the previous put in motion. This story is far from over.
Yes working people want a party to support their interest but both the social democrats and the conservatives have drank the neo-liberal cool-aid and lost their way for any but the ‘successful.’ The American equivalent is easy to find and thus an unlabeled Hope gets elected only to show the extreme of the previous put in motion. This story is far from over.
The fundamental problem in the populist revolts by people of European descent or European citizenry is the peoples' belief that the political and economic elites have abandoned the best interests of those citizens.
That's all. It really has not that much to do with "right wing" and "left wing" political punditry. Such labels are pretty meaningless in a world wherein communism is no longer a political ideology of governance but more a label for gangster governments.
There does not appear to be fascist or communist movements, at least as they were understood in 20th century historical context. The rulers of today at both extremes are gangsters who are more concerned with their political power and financial self aggrandizement than with governance.
The populist issue in nations populated primarily by people of European descent is their rejection of immigrants from cultures antithetical to the secular cultures of the Europeans. At least in Europe. In America, the republican populist issue is contempt of the political class in general and the historic ethnic antipathy among secessionist wannabes towards non whites. Neither has much to do with right wing and left wing politics. Both are whipped up by politicians embrace and / or control of propaganda machines masquerading as news.
Time for the pundits to abandon the old labels and come up with something that more accurately reflects the partisanship dividing our people.
That's all. It really has not that much to do with "right wing" and "left wing" political punditry. Such labels are pretty meaningless in a world wherein communism is no longer a political ideology of governance but more a label for gangster governments.
There does not appear to be fascist or communist movements, at least as they were understood in 20th century historical context. The rulers of today at both extremes are gangsters who are more concerned with their political power and financial self aggrandizement than with governance.
The populist issue in nations populated primarily by people of European descent is their rejection of immigrants from cultures antithetical to the secular cultures of the Europeans. At least in Europe. In America, the republican populist issue is contempt of the political class in general and the historic ethnic antipathy among secessionist wannabes towards non whites. Neither has much to do with right wing and left wing politics. Both are whipped up by politicians embrace and / or control of propaganda machines masquerading as news.
Time for the pundits to abandon the old labels and come up with something that more accurately reflects the partisanship dividing our people.
49
I read in the New York Times that Macron is the one who is going to reform the French economy and lessen protections for workers and unions, while Le Pen vows to maintain the French socialist system.
So who is far-right? Economically, Macron is the rightist, and Le Pen is the leftist. And the economy is probably the most important issue in this election.
So who is far-right? Economically, Macron is the rightist, and Le Pen is the leftist. And the economy is probably the most important issue in this election.
84
Be careful to believe the "socialist" promises of fascist populism. They have been made before, and whole parties called "socialist" that crushed labor and allied with industry and the military as soon as they came to power. Know who I mean? Yes, it really could happen again.
1
You are correct, but the media seems to want to conceal this fact.
4
Le Pen might appear to hold left-wing economic policies but it is all smoke and mirrors! The future of the unity of the European peoples is far more important than the proto-socialist economic garbage spouted by Le Pen and her ilk. Anyone with a shred of understanding of how the globalized world works knows that protectionism, retrenchment, border tariffs, walls, nationalism and divisiveness between nations will NOT bring back any jobs for the middle classes, not in France and not anywhere in the developed world!
Le Pen and her LIES will bring France to its knees and destroy the united Europe that has kept peace and prosperity for 70 years, bringing back the rotten corpse of fascism and racism to the continent.
Most young people in Europe feel united across borders with their peers, and they do not share Le Pen's toxic nationalism nor her desire to turn the clock back 70 years! The less educated middle classes who feel left out would better stop moaning, adapt to change and ensure that their kids get a good education and develop open minds in a global planet. The era of national borders and close-mindedness is FINISHED, you won't bring the past back by voting fascists in power.
Le Pen and her LIES will bring France to its knees and destroy the united Europe that has kept peace and prosperity for 70 years, bringing back the rotten corpse of fascism and racism to the continent.
Most young people in Europe feel united across borders with their peers, and they do not share Le Pen's toxic nationalism nor her desire to turn the clock back 70 years! The less educated middle classes who feel left out would better stop moaning, adapt to change and ensure that their kids get a good education and develop open minds in a global planet. The era of national borders and close-mindedness is FINISHED, you won't bring the past back by voting fascists in power.
2
"The biggest winners have been those leaders who embraced liberal, pro-European Union values with the same passion and emotion as the populists."
Let this sentence, the nut of Ms. McDonald-Gibson's excellent analysis of the state of European populism, be taken to heart here in the United States.
If the Democratic party can't whip up a level of excitement over its values of inclusiveness and economic fairness, conveyed with passion and conviction, to win a significant number of seats in the House and the Senate, then this nation will be--to put it mildly--cooked.
Let this sentence, the nut of Ms. McDonald-Gibson's excellent analysis of the state of European populism, be taken to heart here in the United States.
If the Democratic party can't whip up a level of excitement over its values of inclusiveness and economic fairness, conveyed with passion and conviction, to win a significant number of seats in the House and the Senate, then this nation will be--to put it mildly--cooked.
47
So far, whipping up passion about inclusiveness in the form of 'undocumented' people, black lives matter and transgender locker room rights has completely backfired. I would suggest economic fairness, but so far the Dems think economic fairness means that both Clinton and Obama should get six figure speaking fees just like Republicans do, and everyone else should uproot themselves, take on student loan debt to retrain every five years, and refrain from whining when they're downsized at 55 to make way for H1Bs, or never hired at 25 to make way for illegal immigrant drywallers.
10
Bravo!
1
And how would you explain the last election. The Democrats have been Republican-lite for years and need to find their way back, or as you imply just hope anti-Trump is enough?
1
Why is it that the bank controlled European Union is called the left and those upset about immigration is called the far right? I see this more as a labor problem. Merkel wanted to hold labor costs down perhaps and let in the immigrants, keeping the best ones and shining on the rest to other Euro members. A neat left right divide is not what I see. I see bank and war profiteer controlled European Union under duress from the hordes of refugees caused by the wars for energy and profit in the Middle East. Why do writers on these pages frame the issues in such a misleading way, playing on the emotions of out of work and very insecure populations? I suspect that such circumstances drives the voters into the arms even more securely of the powerful interests that caused their problems in the first place just like Americans did, voting for Trump.
120
Carolyn, thank you SO much for this. The uses of the terms "left" and "right" have become more and more absurd in recent years. The terms were probably completely useless by the mid-20th century (having originated in the late 18th century!) and by now, are perhaps used primarily to "divide and conquer."
There are, at minimum, 4 categories that could be used to describe economic and social views, regarding individual and communal rights, environmental attitudes and social mores. I'm sure there are at least a dozen more ways to do this - and please, don't offer Haidt's pseudo-scientific research as a means to clarify any of this.
There are, at minimum, 4 categories that could be used to describe economic and social views, regarding individual and communal rights, environmental attitudes and social mores. I'm sure there are at least a dozen more ways to do this - and please, don't offer Haidt's pseudo-scientific research as a means to clarify any of this.
18
The European Union is by no means a project of the European 'left'. From the very start, right-wing parties all over Europe (conservatives, christian-democrats and 'liberals' in the European right-wing sense) have given near unlimited support to the EU, to its common coin, to its free trade, to its 'open borders' for immigrants from East to West. Still these right-wing parties cannot wait to turn the EU into a political union. The EU's neolib, capitalist policies are aimed at the interests of (multi)national companies and banks (well represented in the European Commission), much less so at the interests of the working class. The European 'left' is now divided over which way to go with the EU. In The Netherlands, two parties oppose the Brussels directives: the 'far right' (Wilders) and the 'far left' (socialists). The Dutch people in general feel very little love for the EU.
16
Europe is not "under duress" in any form from refugees; under 1% of the population is a blip but for xenophobic, undemocratic extremists of the right, one is too many. It is the refugees that are under duress, from war, famine and terrorism. Using the term "hordes" to describe people like you and I is derogatory, demeaning and vulgar, not only towards the victims of such characterization but also towards one's own self-respect. Just because a person lives a more comfortable life than another doesn't in any way make them a better person, nor give them the right to demean those less comfortable than they are.
4