Hypotheses on Populism: The Politics of Charismatic Protest

In: East European politics and societies and cultures: EEPS, Band 15, Heft 1, S. 10-17

Abstract

The article examines the radical populist political movements in postcommunist Eastern Europe, which pose a threat to democratic reforms & civic culture. Ideologically polyglot, this ethnocentric, "charismatic" populism is anti-liberalism, anti-modernity, & anti-globalization, appealing to the disaffected with a nostalgic myth of cultural tradition & quasi-egalitarianism. Introduced is a symposium focusing on three key aspects of the radical populist phenomenon in Eastern & Central Europe: (1) ideological origins; (2) stance toward civic individualism & liberal (market) democracy; & (3) revision of historical events as basis for constructing the present & future. K. Coddon