7 November 2018

Free Exchange: Matthew Goodwin on National Populism

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Arguably the most important political trend across the West in recent years has been the rise of national populism. It had a hand in the election of Donald Trump and the vote for Brexit. It has upended politics in numerous European countries.

It is tempting — and reassuring — to see this anti-establishment wave as a flash in the pan: a bump on the road towards ever more liberal democracies. Matthew Goodwin argues otherwise. In National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy, he and his co-author Roger Eatwell explode a number of widespread myths about why populism is popular, who supports these movements, and how they will change politics in years to come.

Matthew is this week’s guest on the podcast. He explained the “four Ds” that are driving voters into the arms of populists, what the liberal establishment gets wrong and why the likes of Donald Trump, Marine le Pen and Matteo Salvini could be the new normal.

You can listen to the full episode here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Oliver Wiseman is Editor of CapX.