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The Psychology of Populism
The recent rise of populist politics represent a major challenge for liberal democracies. This important book explores the psychological reasons for the rise of populism, featuring contributions from leading international researchers in the fields of psychology and political science.
Unlike liberal democracy based on the Enlightenment values of individual freedom, autonomy and rationality, both right-wing and left-wing populism offer collectivist, autocratic formulations reminiscent of the evolutionary history and tribal instincts of our species. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the psychology of populism, covering such phenomena as identity seeking, anger and fear, collective narcissism, grievance, norms, perceptions of powerlessness and deprivation, authoritarianism, nationalism, radicalism, propaganda and persuasion, ethnocentrism, xenophobia and the effects of globalization.
The book is divided into four parts. Part I deals with the motivational and emotional factors that attract voters to populist causes, and the human needs and values that populist movements satisfy. Part II analyzes the cognitive features of populist appeals, especially their emphasis on simplicity, epistemic certainty and moral absolutism. Part III turns to one of the defining features of populism: its offer of a powerful tribal identity and collectivist ideology that provide meaning and personal significance to its followers. Finally, in Part IV, the propaganda tactics used by populist movements are analysed, including the role of charismatic leadership, authoritarianism, and nationalism and the use of conspiracy narratives and persuasive strategies.
This is fascinating reading on a highly topical issue. The book will be of interest to students, researchers, and applied professionals in all areas of psychology and the social sciences as a textbook or reference book, and to anyone interested in the global rise of populism.
Unlike liberal democracy based on the Enlightenment values of individual freedom, autonomy and rationality, both right-wing and left-wing populism offer collectivist, autocratic formulations reminiscent of the evolutionary history and tribal instincts of our species. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the psychology of populism, covering such phenomena as identity seeking, anger and fear, collective narcissism, grievance, norms, perceptions of powerlessness and deprivation, authoritarianism, nationalism, radicalism, propaganda and persuasion, ethnocentrism, xenophobia and the effects of globalization.
The book is divided into four parts. Part I deals with the motivational and emotional factors that attract voters to populist causes, and the human needs and values that populist movements satisfy. Part II analyzes the cognitive features of populist appeals, especially their emphasis on simplicity, epistemic certainty and moral absolutism. Part III turns to one of the defining features of populism: its offer of a powerful tribal identity and collectivist ideology that provide meaning and personal significance to its followers. Finally, in Part IV, the propaganda tactics used by populist movements are analysed, including the role of charismatic leadership, authoritarianism, and nationalism and the use of conspiracy narratives and persuasive strategies.
This is fascinating reading on a highly topical issue. The book will be of interest to students, researchers, and applied professionals in all areas of psychology and the social sciences as a textbook or reference book, and to anyone interested in the global rise of populism.
- GenresPsychologyPolitics
386 pages, Hardcover
Published February 19, 2021
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January 15, 2022
Collection of articles by different authors. As such quality and type varies from article to article.
Some seem shoehorned in, some others make flimsy point etc. My favorite is when author does I research and finds that populism is not related with trait A (can't remember what it was, can't be bothered to look) but anyhow in conclusion he/she goes on to say that it would be better if we were to look at populism trough prism of "A"...even thou A is not connected with populism???
That aside if you are interested in social/political psychology or sociology it is a fine read.
Also familiarity with social research and related statistics is a plus but not mandatory prerequisite for reading as some articles include correlation/regression coefficients etc.
Some seem shoehorned in, some others make flimsy point etc. My favorite is when author does I research and finds that populism is not related with trait A (can't remember what it was, can't be bothered to look) but anyhow in conclusion he/she goes on to say that it would be better if we were to look at populism trough prism of "A"...even thou A is not connected with populism???
That aside if you are interested in social/political psychology or sociology it is a fine read.
Also familiarity with social research and related statistics is a plus but not mandatory prerequisite for reading as some articles include correlation/regression coefficients etc.
Displaying 1 of 1 review