Fascism is on the ballot

[Eric the Green]

(10-17-2020, 08:58 AM)David Horn Wrote:

(10-16-2020, 04:19 PM)Eric the Green Wrote: "populist" is not an accurate term for these right-wing folk; that meaning of "populism" implies that "the people" at heart are fearful and prejudiced and can be preyed upon to vote their rights away on that basis, whereas the original meaning of the term means power to the people over moneyed and the other elite interests of a few...

Here we disagree, because the idea of populism isn't ideological, it's emotional.  Any leader who appeals to heart-over-head is being a populist.  Bernie Sanders is a populist but one based in the real world. QAnon is populist and maniacal.  The two aren't mutually exclusive.

There again, the assumption in using "populist" in this way, assumes that "the people" (as opposed to some sort of elite or more intellectual folks) are more likely to be emotional than rational. I don't see any basis for defining the word populist this way, as opposed to its original ideological meaning. Any populist is one based in the real world, and any populist is similar to Bernie Sanders. QAnon, Le Pen, Trump, Erdogen and company are not populists. They are demagogues. They appeal to prejudice and fear in order to take the people's rights away. "The people", of whatever class, should be assumed, and asked, to be as rational and aware of their real interests as are those of educated elites, who are also part of "the people." And in a democratic society, the people rule, not the elites. Democracy = rule by the people. Now there's a good word.

And people of all classes also have emotional and entertainment interests as well. Thus, any presidential candidate to win, regardless of ideology, has to be likable, connect well with people, and give the impression of being a real leader. Thus Bill Clinton won because (among other things) at the debate he showed empathy with his audience while Bush looked at his watch. Democrats do not take this into account as often as Republicans do. Their nominees are frequently wonks chosen because of their policies, and thus lose. This is just good psychology, and paying good heed to astrology too.

"Populism" just another term that has been corrupted in conventional usage today. It consider it a disrespectful term to apply to "the people."