Concern and hostility towards populism has become a distinctive feature of contemporary political culture. In Europe such concerns are frequently directed at Eurosceptics, whose opposition to the European Union is often portrayed as a cultural crime. Ancient anti-democratic claims about the gullibility, ignorance and irrationality of the masses are frequently recycled through the anti-populist condemnation of people who vote the wrong way.This book argues that the current outburst of anti-populist anxiety is symptomatic of a loss of faith in democracy and in the ability of the demos to assume the role of responsible citizens. Distrust of the people and of parliamentary sovereignty is reinforced by the concern that, on its own, liberal democracy lacks the normative foundation to inspire the loyalty and affection of ordinary citizens. Through focusing on the conflict between the European Union’s Commission and the Government of Hungary, this book explores contrasting attitudes towards national sovereignty, popular sovereignty and the question of tradition and the past as the main drivers of the culture war in Europe.
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Preface Introduction 1. Who Decides Europe’s Values? 2. Why Hide Our Shared Values? The Problem of Tradition 3. National Consciousness vs Denationalized Identity 4. Memory Wars or the Crusade Against the Past 5. Anti-Populism and the Crisis of Valuation Conclusion Bibliography
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781138097438
Publisert
2017-08-14
Utgiver
Vendor
Routledge
Vekt
240 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
U, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
144

Forfatter

Biographical note

Frank Furedi is Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Kent, UK.