In the course materials, we saw examples of growing populism in Europe. Conduct your own outside research and identify two or three other cases of populism and nationalism across the globe. Then, argue whether or not populism and nationalism (as political and cultural backlashes to growing tides of globalization) are gaining momentum in different parts of the world. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence.
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Populism
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Populism
Defining populism, and differentiating populism, and nationalism has been a critical area over the years. According to scholars, populism is a political program that represents a democratic or authoritarian movement. Based on democracy, populism seeks to defend and promote the rights of the minority, and disadvantaged citizens, through the reformation process (Bonikowski, et, al., 2019). On the other hand, populism has been associated with authoritarianism for years, focusing on leaders’ personalization. For instance, populism was used to define Donald Triumph’s election and administration. The paper discusses nationalism and populism and their relationship with globalization as the terms are gaining momentum in most parts of the world.
Over the years, populism and nationalism have gained power in democratic countries and countries across the world. Populism and nationalism have had a long-term effect on the countries in question, especially economically, politically, socially, and between international affairs (Rodrik, 2018). On the other hand, populism and nationalism have caused the social and economic failure, especially in the disruption of international trade affairs, for instance, the case of Donald triumph and foreign affairs. Populists and nationalists are associated with disappointment, failed promises, fantasies, and vague ideas concerning the nation (Bonikowski, et, al., 2019).
There are three main types of populism, cultural populism, socio-economic populism, and anti-establishment populism (Rodrik, 2018). The anti-immigrant manifestation in Europe, America, and Islam populism in Indonesia are examples of cultural populism. Another case is Thailand, where the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra divided society into two, the non-privileged from rural areas and the royalties, also considered the aristocrats (Rodrik, 2018). The grass-root population was not governing the right to vote. Another case of populism and nationalism includes Poland’s case, where a leader by the name of Walesa formed the non-communist government to fight against the communist party. In 2019, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a president-elect, has been a social-economic populist to curb corruption and ensure the national budget includes the poor.
Lastly, Donald triumph administration is another case where the election, governance, and foreign policies are filled with populism and nationalism. The election was motivated by money and not the citizens’ interests, especially the elites that support Donald Trump (Bonikowski, et, al., 2019). Trump’s polarization, immigration policies, and promises of opening jobs and visa rules are some of the policies and practices meant to entice voters. Donald Trump was on the economic elites’ side and worked on fighting political elites, which brought about controversies between reality and words.
According to research, the number of nationalist’s populist leaders increases at a higher rate across the globe (Bonikowski, et, al., 2019). The growth has been experienced in Western Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Central and eastern parts of Europe. Globalization has impacted many aspects of life, including the impact on nationalism and populism. The relationship between globalization, nationalism, and populism is very close, especially on the economic aspect, national identity, and equality (Madra, 2017). The rise of populism and nationalism in the western democracies and around the world.
Globalization is the reason for populism and nationalism, which has caused the broken state of economic control, also known as deliberation (Rodrik, 2020). Populism has, however, led to disruptions of worker’s organization, trade, inflation targeting, shareholder maximization instead of an investment. However, the policies that have been developed to suit the interest of the leaders have influenced growth and balance between labour and capital. Since the money crisis in 2008, globalization has been at stake, affecting the economy across the globe. For instance, the impacts have led to low investments, low inflation, low productivity growth, income inequalities, job insecurities, and low productivity (Rodrik, 2020). Populism has led to the loss of jobs in the united states, the European Union, and all over the world due to the implementation of more labour-saving technology instead of the promotion of free trade. Technology and automation have been a leading cause of disruption in the economy, leading to unfulfilled promises by populists both from the right and left-wing.
On the other hand, populists and nationalists have created new
economies, such as the development of tirades, by Donald Triumph’s administration designed to fight globalization (Rodrik, 2020). Populism has been a way of expression across the world and a powerless act of dealing with the rising issues rising due to the high rate of globalization. Additionally, the populists and nationalists tend to create movements that would restore control, such as in dealing with unemployment, terrorism, and immigrants’ control (Copelovitch, and Pevehouse, 2019). The forces that support globalization are more than the effects of populism around the world. Populism is not yet a threat to globalization. Especially when China, United States, European Union, and Japan are the top economic actors working towards trade extensions.
References
Rodrik, D. (2018). Populism and the economics of globalization. Journal of international business policy, 1(1), 12-33.
Bonikowski, B., Halikiopoulou, D., Kaufmann, E., & Rooduijn, M. (2019). Populism and nationalism in a comparative perspective: a scholarly exchange. Nations and Nationalism, 25(1), 58-81.
Copelovitch, M., & Pevehouse, J. C. (2019). International organizations in a new era of populist nationalism.
Madra, Y. M. (2017). Antinomies of globalization. Markets, Globalization & Development Review, 2(3).
Rodrik, D. (2020). Why does globalization fuel populism? Economics, culture, and the rise of right-wing populism (No. w27526). National Bureau of Economic Research.
