Right-wing populists continue rather than challenge capitalist austerity.
Evidence
All the problems afflicting our era—from the rise of ultranationalist parties to perpetual wars, hatred for migrants, the environmental catastrophe that is especially hitting the Global South, and the mental health crisis, especially among younger people—can be explained by an economic system that oppresses the majority both nationally and globally. When people decide to stop engaging in electoral processes or to vote for parties that present themselves as against the liberal establishment, they are expressing deep dissatisfaction, or even despair, for an economic order that has failed them. These symptoms of our sickly economic order have led to the rise of political figures like President Donald Trump in the US and President Javier Milei in Argentina, who sell themselves as alternatives to the system. But they are false alternatives. The spectacle of strongman personalities distracts us from the fact that their policies are in perfect continuity with capitalism and its austerity logic. — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 43
Categorization
- SEED: Angles for pieces on Trump or Milei as austerity continuations disguised as anti-establishment revolts.
- XREF: Connects to analyses of ‘false alternatives’ like Trump and to Gramsci’s concept of hegemony. — connects to: Right-populist leaders’ policies continue austerity despite anti-establishment rhetoric — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism: An Intervention, 43; Right-wing parties adopt austerity politics while rejecting the neoliberal ‘globalist’ label — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights…, 451; Neoliberal structural change ironically fueled statist planning and right-wing populism despite anti-statist rhetoric. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 303 (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Right-populist leaders’ policies continue austerity despite anti-establishment rhetoric
#corroborates(0.95) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 43 - Right-wing parties adopt austerity politics while rejecting the neoliberal ‘globalist’ label
#corroborates(0.82) — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market, 451 - Neoliberal structural change ironically fueled statist planning and right-wing populism despite anti-statist rhetoric.
#expands(0.80) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 303