13 - Bonus episode: Populism as a twofold political confusion

contrasens

Populism looks like it’s going to become the new specter that haunts us. Questionable decisions taken by political leaders are being categorized as being populist, regardless of the side they come from. Whether we are talking about changing laws, simple promises or press statements, the public opinion, as showcased by the media, brings with it the 'populist’ tag which, by the looks of it, ought to be exhaustive. Still, it is worthwhile to discern the difference between left-wing and right-wing populism, and more importantly to know where the good kind of populism ends and the bad and unwanted one begins. In our discussion with anthropologist Don Kalb we want to shed some light on the populism that haunts Eastern Europe and which seems to extend beyond its pleasant varieties. References: Don Kalb, 2018, Upscaling Illiberalism: Class, Contradiction, and the Rise and Rise of the Populist Right in Postsocialist Central Europe in Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences Recommendations: The Blog and platform Don Kalb initiated: https://www.focaalblog.com/ Producers: Marina Mironica and Pati Murg Sponsor and support by: Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Babeș-Bolyai University Studio: Radio Cluj and Doina Borgovan Mix & master, soundtrack: KindStudios Visuals: Pati Murg