The next European crisis
by Jack Benfield
With the impending resignation of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and news that Italy’s cost of borrowing has hit an all time high, a solution to the Eurozone’s financial woes appears increasingly elusive. The possible collapse of the Euro is, however, far from the only threat facing European political leaders.
Populist movements, from Finland’s True Finns party to the Dutch Party for Freedom, have made significant electoral gains in recent years. Their often controversial views on issues such as immigration and Islam, along with their ‘anti-establishment’ rhetoric, appears to be striking a chord with ever-growing numbers of European citizens. In some countries, these populist parties have been invited to join coalition governments, whilst in many others their success has jolted the incumbent political elite to adopt more hard-line policies in areas such as immigration control.
In our report, The New Face of Digital Populism, we analyse the responses of over 10,000 online supporters of populist movements – both street-based groups and formal political parties – in order to get a better idea of who they are and what they think. The report adds to the body of existing thought on the subject by using social media to elicit responses directly from the supporters themselves.
Interestingly, despite both the media’s current preoccupation with financial issues generally and the oft cited theory that populist supporters’ antipathy toward immigrants stems from resource competition – e.g. ‘they’re taking our jobs’ – the report finds that economic concerns are not a significant motivating factor for online supporters joining these groups. Rather, the desire to protect and promote cultural and national identity was a key driver; reflecting a perception that traditional national and/or European values are under threat.
This perceived erosion of identity is often, but not always, associated with antipathy towards immigration and the ‘Islamification’ of society. It is also a likely contributor to the overwhelming pessimism of online supporters about the future of their country - only 13 per cent believe their nation is ‘on the right track’.
They are not, however, merely ‘keyboard warriors’ digitally complaining from the blogosphere. Many online populist supporters are willing to take real-world actions to express their concerns. Across all countries surveyed, supporters of populist movements were significantly more likely than the general public to take to the streets, participating in demonstrations and marches in order to get their views heard. The majority of supporters of populist political parties also sought to orchestrate change using more conventional means, actively voting for the parties they support online.
There is clearly a growing volume of online support for populist movements; support which is, in many instances, being converted into offline activism and electoral gains. These groups can no longer be ignored by the political mainstream on the basis that they are merely the resort of ‘crazy extremists’; in many cases they are attracting widespread support because they play on the very real concerns of a large number of European citizens.
This does in no way mean that policy-makers should succumb to knee-jerk reactions - David Blunkett has recently warned of a ‘xenophobic trend’ amongst the liberal left - as the result of such a shift would have equally devastating social and economic consequences regardless of its political parenthood.
Instead, the supporters and would-be supporters of populist movements should be encouraged to engage in civil and political life. Their views, as well as those propagated by the populist movements they support, should be voiced, considered and forcefully debated. Sweeping them under the carpet is not an option.
Maria Lundberg
the comment we say what you think, why? it´s the true too, how do you want to interpret it as we are a global economy and cultur.
we don´t feel home today as they make us move around like furnitures makes a very dangerous situation for short term it´s possible to run our own way of living but in the longterm it makes it impossible.
we don´t have a home does it make i t more clear for the European politicans, it´s not about populism.
It´s comfort for the sitting politicans they don´t want to see the reality.............
Sorry, for short term populism......................
thanks Maria Lundberg, swedish
as
Désolé,il s'agit d'une mauvaise traduction que je rectifie.
Il est exact que beaucoup de jeunes sont moins aveugles que certains d'entre nous,ils ne faut pas ignorer que la montée de la haine et les appels à une guerre religieuse radicale se fait dans nos rues par des dégénérés arrièrés,et nos politicons ne réagissent pas.
Cela augmente d'une façon alarmante,ce n'est pas nous les racistes ,mais bien ceux qui ne respectent pas les femmes et leurs filles comme des êtres humains à par entière ,ni les autres religions.
Ces jeunes se rendent compte que concernant l'islamisation radicale, les dés sont déjà jetés. Dans les années à venir, chacun de nous devra prendre position : combattre l'islam radical ou en devenir esclave et soumis. Concernant les politiques, nous nous retrouverons dans une situation comme la collaboration en France ,et en Belgique pendant la dernière guerre : certains seront collabos (cela a déjà commencé), d'autres résisteront (cela a déjà commencé aussi). Mon avis : cette guerre de religion et de choc des cultures sera encore pire que les guerres du 20eme siècle : car nous avons à faire à des religieux fanatiques qui au niveau de la haine et du racisme sont bien pire que les nazis.
Il y a malheureusement trop d’aveugle et de lâche dans ce pays,comme en France.
Mais un jour ils auront des comptes à rendre ,et peut-être plus vite qu'on ne le pense
kassandra
The report neglected to explore the question of the pro-Israel stance of many of these groups. For example, we are aware that Anders Breivik was a great admirer of Zionism and Israel. We see the British EDF marching under Israeli flags. Vilders in Holland is well-known for his Zionist sympathies. Just recently, an Israeli cabinet minister had discussions with Marine Le Pen in France. The philosopher Zizek recently addressed this growing connection on AlJazeera.
Your report needs an update.
David Vinter
FRANKIE FARRELL----'not everyone earns big sums of money' your so bloody right, as only 15% of the taxpayers payhigh rate tax then 85 % must earn less!
99% of journalists live within the M25,and how it shows whenever they talk money! There is another word for this area of the UK, it's called 'cloud cuckoo land'.
unas
Il est exact que beaucoup de jeunes sont moins aveugles que certains d'entre nous,ils ne faut pas ignorer que la montée de la haine et les appels à une guerre religieuse radicale se fait dans nos rues par des dégénérés arrièrés,et nos politicons ne réagissent pas.
Cela augmente d'une façon alarmante,ce n'est pas nous les racistes ,mais bien ceux qui ne respectent pas les femmes et leurs filles comme des êtres humains à par entière ,ni les autres religions.
Ces jeunes se rendent compte que concernant l'islamisation radicale, les dés sont déjà jetés. Dans les années à venir, chacun de nous devra prendre position : combattre l'islam radical ou en devenir esclave et soumis. Concernant les politiques, nous nous retrouverons dans une situation comme la collaboration en France ,et en Belgique pendant la dernière guerre : certains seront collabos (cela a déjà commencé), d'autres résisteront (cela a déjà commencé aussi). Mon avis : cette guerre de religion et de choc des cultures sera encore pire que les guerres du 20eme siècle : car nous avons à faire à des religieux fanatiques qui au niveau de la haine et du racisme sont bien pire que les nazis.
Il y a malheureusement trop d’aveugle et de lâche dans ce pays,comme en France.
Mais un jour ils auront des comptes à rendre ,et peut-être plus vite qu'on ne le pense.