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Why do we live in times of polarised populism?

I contrast these times with the 1990s and 2000s, when I came of age as an adult. We were taught that it was the end of history and that the days of political polarisation had ended. Now we have populist parties and politicians rising throughout the western world. I think the populists fall into two camps; the nationalist right and the radical left. The former is made up of Trump, Le Pen, Liga, UKIP etc and the latter; Sanders, Corbyn, Podemos, and Syriza etc.

Few of these people/groups have achieved political power and those which have yet to produce a radical change in their own image. Though arguably there are second-world examples that have in a few countries (Venezuela, Hungary and Poland). However, this would never have happened in the 1990s and it is a global thing which is not specific to one country or one political culture. I don't think (for example) giving American specific reasons for the rise of Trump can be a full explanation when he has his equivalence elsewhere. Though political culture can be one factor and can certainly define the style of a movement.

Sub-questions:
1) What are the causes? Is this an economic or a cultural thing?
2) Will this die out or is it a canary in the coal mine?
3) Can you predict the political world in twenty years?

I have opinions on all of this and I am sympathetic to the leftist movements. I know this is big stuff and a welcome people to respond from the left, right and centre to give your reasons. I will read any post, no matter how long. :-)
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Northwest · M
Several things happened:

1. Technology, specifically the Internet, opened us up to globalism.

2. Globalism, awakened the Western world, to the reality that White is no longer in the control of the world.

3. The additional reality of the refugee crisis, added urgency to the situation.

Note that on the left side, none of these names/parties, have reached power, while all the names you list on the right, are in power now. Venezuela is an exception, because it has been in the "left" for decades, and is therefore an outlier.

I believe that the right is going to try to hang on to power, through embracing despotism, and the left's responsibility, is to resist it. I compare this to the days of the American Revolution, and I hope for similar results, obviously without the bloodshed and violence.

Longer term, White Christians' cling to power, cannot be sustained.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Northwest On my list, only Trump and Syriza are in power but others have had an impact on the political process.

Trump is a potential demagogue but can't overturn American institutions. Aside from the immigration thing his policies are conventional Conservative by and large. His impact is significant though mostly symbolic.

Syriza is the current govt of Greece, though whether they have power is doubtful.
Northwest · M
@Burnley123 I believe history should be our guide. Within the past 100 years or so, every dictatorship, was preceded with “no way it could happen here”.

Even Trump was an “it can’t happen here” case.

I never thought Syria had power in Greece, but I could be wrong.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Northwest Syriza are in Government but not in power. They were forced to capitulate to the Eurozone debt pact by the Troika and are now the leftists who have to administer mega austerity.

If you are interested in learning more, this is a great documentary available on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTClMptZJE0
Northwest · M
@Burnley123 This is what I'm referring to. Being in government, versus having the power to advance their agenda, when they know if they do it, they have to pull out of the Euro, and declare bankruptcy.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@Northwest That is pretty much and they were faced with the mother of all dilemmas. They could perhaps have played tougher for longer but it's doubtful whether they could have achieved a good outcome. Its the ultimate example of the following problem; that democracy is national but capital is international.
Northwest · M
@Burnley123 Amen. I am now watching Trump deliver the US surrender speech, at the joint press conference.