Roots of Populism: Neoliberalism and Working-Class Lives

The interests of the working class have become increasingly marginalized in mainstream politics in the UK since the emergence of neoliberalism in the 1980s, leading to the 2016 Brexit referendum result. Brian Elliott's book argues that populism contains the promise of a renewal of democratic political culture and outlines a new working-class politics to overturn the neoliberal logic that has dominated mainstream thinking over the last forty years.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2021
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Since the advent of neoliberalism in the early 1980s, the interests of the working class have progressively faded from mainstream politics in the United Kingdom. Years of austerity politics following the financial crash of 2008 deepened popular disenchantment with the political class, paving the way for the 2016 Brexit referendum result. This, according to Brian Elliot, has precipitated a crisis of British democracy.

Does the current wave of populism constitute a threat to or a promise for democracy? What has led to the emergence of populism, and to what extent can populism be shaped into a program of progressive reform of democracy today? In this timely new book, Brian Elliott takes a long view on populism, tracing its history back to the struggles waged by the British workers movement of the nineteenth century to gain general enfranchisement.

Countering the depiction of populism as a degradation of liberal democratic political culture into a xenophobic rejection of pluralism, internationalism, and multiculturalism, Elliott argues that the populist sentiment contains the promise of a renewal of democratic political culture. Identifying and examining the contemporary challenges of work, Elliott outlines a new working-class politics to overturn the neoliberal logic that has come to dominate mainstream political thinking over the last forty years.

The decline of the working class in mainstream politics has been a long and complex process, driven by a range of factors. One of the most significant is the shift towards neoliberalism, which has seen the deregulation of markets, the privatization of public services, and the erosion of worker protections. This has led to a decline in real wages, job insecurity, and social mobility, which has in turn contributed to the growing sense of disillusionment and frustration among the working class.

Another factor contributing to the decline of the working class is the rise of inequality, which has seen the wealthiest individuals and corporations become increasingly wealthy while the middle and lower classes have struggled to keep up. This has led to a growing sense of resentment and anger among the working class, who feel that they are being left behind by the economic system.

The 2016 Brexit referendum result was a clear manifestation of the growing disenchantment with mainstream politics among the working class. Many working-class voters felt that their interests were not being represented by the political establishment and that they were being left behind by the global economy. This led to a surge in support for populist parties and politicians, who promised to break away from the established order and to put the interests of the working class first.

However, the rise of populism also presents significant challenges for democracy. One of the most significant is the threat posed by the rise of authoritarianism and nationalism. Populist leaders often appeal to the emotions and fears of their supporters, using them to gain and maintain power. This can lead to the erosion of democratic norms and institutions, as well as the suppression of dissent and opposition.

Another challenge posed by populism is the risk of polarization and division. Populist parties often promote a simplistic and binary view of the world, dividing people into "us" and "them" and pitting them against each other. This can lead to a breakdown in social cohesion and a loss of faith in democratic institutions.

To address these challenges, it is important to promote a more inclusive and democratic political system. This can include measures such as increasing voter turnout, promoting greater political participation, and ensuring that the voices of marginalized and underrepresented groups are heard. It can also include measures to address the root causes of populism, such as inequality and economic insecurity, by promoting progressive policies and social welfare programs.

In conclusion, the current wave of populism presents both threats and opportunities for democracy. While it is important to be vigilant about the risks posed by populism, it is also important to recognize the potential for it to be a force for positive change. By promoting a more inclusive and democratic political system and addressing the root causes of populism, we can help to ensure that democracy remains a strong and resilient institution for generations to come.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526136978