Source: EconLog
by Pierre Lemieux
“The rise of populist politicians is a worldwide phenomenon. An interesting article by the bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal in Germany analyzes the phenomenon in light of last weekend’s electoral advance of two populist parties, one at the extreme right, the other at the extreme left, in two German states (Bertrand Benoit, ‘Europe’s Populist Surge Isn’t Only About Immigration, It Is About Fading Trust,’ Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2024). The portrait Benoit and his sources draw is roughly the following. Some crisis happens, which the government is unable to solve because of the checks and balances of liberal democracy. This fuels popular discontent and mistrust of government. As a result, the voters turn to populist politicians.” (09/05/24)