How the Political Elites Fight Populism
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode analyzes how established governments respond to rising populist movements, often driven by insecurity and a desire to maintain power.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion.
First, establishments counter populism using lawfare and forming broad coalitions to exclude populist parties.
Governments view populist movements as an existential threat, potentially exposing corruption and upending incumbent careers and wealth. They employ "lawfare," utilizing legal systems against leaders, or form grand coalitions across ideological lines to democratically exclude successful populist parties.
Second, the episode highlights how establishments often adopt their own authoritarian tactics, creating "authoritarian elitism."
In an attempt to counter perceived "authoritarian populism," the establishment frequently mirrors these tactics. This results in "authoritarian elitism," which ironically erodes democratic norms similarly to the populism it seeks to suppress.
Third, historical resolutions to populism involve the establishment becoming authoritarian, initiating foreign wars, or genuinely solving root problems.
Historically, populist eras conclude in specific ways. Establishments may become authoritarian, or foreign wars are initiated to redistribute spoils or discredit the regime. The least chosen but most effective path involves genuinely addressing the structural economic problems driving populist discontent, a path often avoided due to vested interests.
Ultimately, the current establishment strategy of fighting populism with its own authoritarianism risks a less free and more unstable global landscape.
Episode Overview
- The speaker explains how established governments are reacting to the global rise of populist movements, arguing their responses are driven by insecurity and a desire to maintain power.
- He outlines the methods establishments use to counter populism, including "lawfare," forming cross-ideological coalitions to exclude populist parties, and consolidating power.
- The episode explores the three primary ways populist movements historically end: the establishment becomes authoritarian, a foreign war is initiated, or the root economic and social problems are actually solved.
- The speaker concludes that the current establishment strategy of fighting populism with its own form of authoritarianism is dangerous and ultimately creates a less free and more unstable world.
Key Concepts
- Populism as an External Threat: Populist movements are seen by the political establishment as an existential threat because they operate outside the existing power structure, potentially exposing corruption and upending the careers and wealth of incumbent politicians.
- Lawfare and Democratic Exclusion: One key tactic used by the establishment to combat populism is "lawfare" — using legal and judicial systems to challenge and prosecute populist leaders (e.g., against Donald Trump). Another is forming "grand coalitions" of ideologically opposed parties to democratically exclude a successful populist party from power (e.g., against the AfD in Germany).
- Authoritarian Elitism vs. Authoritarian Populism: The speaker argues that in an attempt to counter the perceived threat of "authoritarian populism," the establishment often adopts its own authoritarian tactics, resulting in a system of "authoritarian elitism" that also erodes democratic norms.
- War as an "Escape Valve": Historically, foreign wars have served as a way to end populist eras. Winning a war allows for the redistribution of spoils to appease the populace, while losing a war discredits the populist regime, forcing a societal reset imposed by the victor.
- The Unchosen Path (Solving Problems): The most effective but least utilized method for ending populism is for the establishment to genuinely address the structural economic problems that cause populist discontent. This is often avoided due to vested interests, political inertia, or fear of short-term economic pain.
Quotes
- At 0:17 - "I'm making this a bonus video because it's not really as economic as the main channel content and it's going to get more into political philosophy from a hard power perspective." - The speaker explains that the topic deviates from pure economics into the realm of political power dynamics.
- At 2:02 - "You could see the lawfare that was initiated against Donald Trump." - This is presented as a prime example of an establishment using the legal system to counter a populist leader they perceive as a threat.
- At 9:56 - "Wars end populist movements because if you win the war, the spoils of war fix the imbalance of the economy." - The speaker provides a stark explanation for why war has historically been an effective, albeit destructive, method for resolving the tensions that lead to populism.
Takeaways
- Recognize the signs of an insecure political establishment, such as the use of "lawfare" against political opponents or the formation of unusual coalitions, as these are often direct responses to a perceived populist threat.
- Understand that the establishment's methods for fighting populism can be as damaging to democratic principles as populism itself, leading to a cycle where both sides become increasingly authoritarian.
- The most sustainable solution to populist anger is not suppression but addressing the root causes, whether through genuine political reform or embracing technological and social frontiers that create new opportunities and alleviate economic stagnation.
