Right-wing populism is a struggle between rival elite factions
Evidence
“Populism”, Francis Fukuyma argued back in June, “is the label that political elites attach to policies supported by ordinary citizens that they don’t like.” Yet these policies aren’t typically generated by “ordinary citizens” themselves; more often, they are attempts by elites to ventriloquise desires and anxieties “ordinary citizens” are held to have. Right-wing populism of the kind Trump and Brexit represent is a gambit in a struggle amongst different versions of the elite. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 2040
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Contemporary right-wing populist followings lack the mass organization fascism required — Arthur Borriello and Anton Jäger, The Populist Moment: The Left After the…, 32; Right-wing populism operates on genuinely material contradictions; Right-wing populists continue rather than challenge capitalist austerity. — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 43 (+5 more)
Broader Connections
- Populism assumes a homogeneous people betrayed by an elite cabal.
#corroborates(0.85) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 152 - Absorbing rival elites into the ruling bloc decapitates and neutralizes opposition
#expands(0.80) - Right-wing populism operates on genuinely material contradictions
#qualifies(0.78) - Right-populist leaders’ policies continue austerity despite anti-establishment rhetoric
#expands(0.75) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 43 - Right-wing populists continue rather than challenge capitalist austerity.
#expands(0.72) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 43