How to Fight Back against Populism – Left and Right

A collectivistic identity politics • The ‘us-versus-them’ logic offers a sense of belonging, to the nation, class, history, or religion • Provides meaning and a purpose – to defend the people against allegedly corrupt elites and threatening others • A politics of resentment and recognition The liberal potential Three dimensions of classical liberalism 1. [...] The liberal spirit - Rejoice in individual development and self- authorship, in entrepreneurship, in diversity and tolerance, in free speech and rational discourse in voluntary cooperation, moderation, etc. [...] Defend and develop the liberal institutions 3. [...] Develop liberal statecraft Requires the revival of classical liberalism itself Slide 1: How to Fight Back against Populism – Left and Right Nils Karlson The Ratio Institute, Stockholm Slide 2: 1985 to 2010 Slide 3: Today… Slide 4 Slide 5: Sharp Decline in Global Economic Freedom Slide 6: Populism – defining characteristics Slide 7: 1. [...] Autocratic institutional orientation Slide 11: Explaining populism and autocratization Slide 12:  A collectivistic identity politics Slide 13: The liberal potential Slide 14: Four categories of liberal strategies Slide 15: Requires the revival of classical liberalism itself.