The End of Populism

Twenty Proposals to Defend Liberal Democracy

Marcel H. Van Herpen

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English

Manchester University Press
01 April 2021

Political science & theory; Liberalism & centre democratic ideologies; Political structures: democracy

The populist wave which has submerged Europe and the United States in recent years seems unstoppable. But is it? The end of populism offers answers and proposes concrete solutions to confront the rise of 'illiberal democracy.'

Drawing on extensive original sources, this book refutes the populist claim that democracy is a 'demand side' phenomenon, and demonstrates that it is rather a 'supply side' phenomenon. Marcel H. Van Herpen argues that one can have 'too much democracy' and shows how methods of direct democracy, such as popular initiatives, referendums, and open primaries, which pretend 'to give the power back to the people,' have led to manipulation by populists and moneyed interests. Populist attacks on the judiciary, central banks, the media, and other independent agencies, instead of strengthening democracy, have rather undermined liberal democracy. The author formulates twenty original and bold proposals to bridge the gap between the people and the elites, fight corruption, improve political party funding, and initiate societal, educational, and macro-economic reforms to increase economic equality and alleviate the insecurity of the citizens.

Elegantly written and clearly argued, this is an essential book for understanding the populist phenomenon.

By: Marcel H. Van Herpen
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 431g
ISBN: 9781526154132
ISBN 10: 1526154137
Pages: 312
Publication Date: 01 April 2021
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction Part I The populist wave: Why did it happen? 1 What is populism? Constructing an ideal type 2 A portrait of the populist voter 3 Populism and the role of disgust 4 The populist program: What do populists want? 5 Populists in power Part II Do we have too much or not enough democracy? 6 Is democracy a question of demand or supply? 7 Referendums and popular initiatives: Can one have too much democracy? 8 Open primaries: Did they “give the power back” to the people? 9 Reinforcing the independent agencies Part III Twenty proposals to defend liberal democracy: Reforming politics and education 10 Not more, but less direct democracy is needed 11 Keep populist parties out of government: A plea for a “cordon sanitaire” 12 Fight corruption, restore trust, and change party financing 13 The Sisyphean task of moralizing public life 14 Avoid the creation of political castes 15 The need for democratic education Part IV Twenty proposals to defend liberal democracy: Reforming society 16 Defend the truth in a ‘post-truth’ world 17 Fight economic inequality and introduce a Universal Basic Income 18 Enhance economic democracy 19 Toward a humane and sustainable immigration and refugee policy Conclusion Bibliography Index -- .

Marcel H. Van Herpen is a political analyst and Director of the Cicero Foundation, a think tank based in Maastricht

Reviews for The End of Populism: Twenty Proposals to Defend Liberal Democracy

'A brilliant and incisive analysis of populism. It shows how populism is a product of democracy and not its opposite. This is an immensely readable and informative book on the world-wide surge of authoritarian populism. Van Herpen also offers well-reasoned proposals to combat the worst aspects of populism.' Gerard Delanty, Professor of Sociology and Social and Political Thought, University of Sussex 'So much has been written about populism in recent years, you may think that there is nothing more worthwhile to be said. If so, this book shows the contrary. As well as bringing together much of the literature on support for populism, Van Herpen has interesting and important things to say on the vulgar style of populist politicians and their appeal to the emotion of disgust. Most notable, however, are the chapters offering proposals for defending democracy against populism. You may not agree with all these proposals (I don’t) but they are clear and forceful, and should form the basis for future discussion.' Albert Weale, Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy at University College London, and author of The Will of the People: A Modern Myth -- .