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latterature's review against another edition
3.0
Clear and concise summary of threads of both left-wing and right-wing populism internationally in the past decades, though must be updated to include the consequences of the Trump presidency.
greenrain's review against another edition
3.0
Raised some interesting points, by I disagreed with some of the conclusions. I would recommend that anyone interested in populism should read it, but keep in mind some of the author's points are debatable.
aurora9's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Had to read this for a comparative politics class, it was very readable and informative. The historical connections to present day populist movements provided clear context for understanding what's going on and what maybe we may expect in the future.
gmeluski's review against another edition
3.0
More like a whirlwind history of populist movements in the United States and Europe than an examination of what exactly draws voters to said movements. I was expecting more of the latter but found the historical bent informative.
The light analysis that is included feels tainted - he excuses the overt racism of right wing populists by suggesting it's an indication of a deeper problem with the existing forms of governance. Like they'd just stop being racist if we figured it out? I don't think history bears that out.
The light analysis that is included feels tainted - he excuses the overt racism of right wing populists by suggesting it's an indication of a deeper problem with the existing forms of governance. Like they'd just stop being racist if we figured it out? I don't think history bears that out.
jstamper2022's review against another edition
5.0
A fair look at the Populist movement history and current trends both here and in Europe. How immigration and the economy motivates a group to a raging level of us against them mentality. It explains how we get the Donald Trumps of the world into running for office and in some cases winning. The author examples The Donald's positions and how Candidate Trump was more or less catering to a populist base to win an election and not truly representative of his actual views. He's more a Berlusconi not a Mussolini or a Hitler. Quick and easy read if you're a political hobbyist and trying to make sense of the cluster fuck we call government.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
This book is part of the "Columbia Global Reports" series. And it feels like a report. Not in a bad way. It is a reasonable comprehensive recounting of populist movements around the world today--including Trump and Sanders (it was written before the general election), left-wing European populists, and right-wing European populists. It argues all of these are descendants of a style (but not an ideology) that started in the late 19th century in the United States with the populist party, through Huey Long, and then George Wallace, Ross Perot, and Pat Buchanan.
John Judis notes that virtually all of these movements were predicted on non-reproducible charismatic leaders, that most of them failed to achieve success, or when they did rapidly became mainstream and "betrayed" their populist roots. Nevertheless, he traces the conditions underlying these in part resulting from the Great Recession and the Euro area crisis, plus the link between high unemployment and immigration, arguing we could see more in the future.
Overall a reliable guide, some interesting observations, but did not feel overly profound or original.
John Judis notes that virtually all of these movements were predicted on non-reproducible charismatic leaders, that most of them failed to achieve success, or when they did rapidly became mainstream and "betrayed" their populist roots. Nevertheless, he traces the conditions underlying these in part resulting from the Great Recession and the Euro area crisis, plus the link between high unemployment and immigration, arguing we could see more in the future.
Overall a reliable guide, some interesting observations, but did not feel overly profound or original.
realreads's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, in retrospect, I should have seen it coming: nationalist politics has been on the rise in the last decade across much of Europe. And yet, many of us didn't.
This (somewhat dry but short) book gives an excellent overview of populist politics not just in the US but also across Europe. This larger context enriched my perspective on how I think about the recent election results. Democratic parties have tough job ahead to bring back their appeal to the working class in a world that is changing faster than ever before. It is not at all obvious what happens to anti-globalization, anti-progress folks in a global, tech-revolutionized world.
This (somewhat dry but short) book gives an excellent overview of populist politics not just in the US but also across Europe. This larger context enriched my perspective on how I think about the recent election results. Democratic parties have tough job ahead to bring back their appeal to the working class in a world that is changing faster than ever before. It is not at all obvious what happens to anti-globalization, anti-progress folks in a global, tech-revolutionized world.
jdkeller1's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting, if for no other reason than it offered a logical explanation of right-wing vs left-wing populism. One downside is that is was a bit too heavy on the current events. I think this book will lose some value in a few years when the political parties and leaders, esp in Europe, are no longer relevant. But the 30,000 foot view of the history of populism, who drives it and what triggers the change were all really eye-opening.