The age of discontent : populism, extremism, and conspiracy theories in contemporary democracies / Matthew Rhodes-Purdy, Rachel Navarre, Stephen Utych.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 252-278) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- Left behind vs. backlash : economic and cultural theories of democratic discontent -- Affective political economy : the economic origins of democratic discontent -- Affective political economy and political discontent : an experimental analysis -- Frozen parties, failing markets : discontent in the United States and United Kingdom -- Austerity, regionalism, and dueling populisms in Spain -- Corruption, populism, and contentious politics in Brazil and Chile -- The dogs that did not bark : how Canada, Portugal, and Uruguay avoided discontent -- Populism in power : polarization, charismatic attachment, and conspiracy theories in Trump's America -- Conclusions : is neoliberal democracy sustainable?
Summary:
"The years following the 2008 financial crisis produced a surge of political discontent with populism, conspiracism, and Far Right extremism rising across the world. Despite this timing, many of these movements coalesced around cultural issues rather than economic grievances. But if culture, and not economics, is the primary driver of political discontent, why did these developments emerge after a financial collapse, a pattern that repeats throughout the history of the democratic world? Using the framework of 'Affective Political Economy', The Age of Discontent demonstrates that emotions borne of economic crises produce cultural discontent, thus enflaming conflict over values and identities. The book uses this framework to explain the rise of populism and the radical right in the US, UK, Spain, and Brazil, and the social uprising in Chile. It argues that states must fulfill their roles as providers of social insurance and channels for citizen voices if they wish to turn back the tide of political discontent"-- Page [i].
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.