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Journal: Political Preferences

Leadership in Times of Populism: Selected Examples of Italian Political Leaders

Rafał Dudała

Language: EN | Published: 31-12-2018 | Abstract

The issue of leadership is becoming increasingly a phenomenon studied by specialists in political sciences. However, the emerging theoretical concepts call for constant changes and updates due to the political practice. This is supported by the changes in the political scene observed in many countries, generally referred to as the “populist revolution”. This phenomenon, with varying intensity, has been present on the Italian political scene for almost a quarter of a century.

The specificity of Italian populism should be expressed concerning three political leaders: Silvio Berlusconi, Beppe Grillo and Matteo Renzi. Although, there are many differences between them – the time of appearance, the scope of power and political culture, there are also common formal references regarding personal image and applied rhetoric. The distinct approach of leadership to populism has been further strengthened by the increasing use of new means of social communication. As a result, the intersection of technology and social change has had and will have a significant impact on the perception of politics in the future.

 

Key words:

Italy, populism, leadership, Berlusconi, Grillo, Renzi

2018-12-31



Journal: Political Preferences

Social security as an instrument for creating populist attitudes

Danuta Plecka , Patrycja Rutkowska

Language: EN | Published: 01-12-2016 | Abstract

Societal security is undoubtedly an instrument for creating populist attitudes. This is related primarily to the quality of different democratic mechanisms and their representations affecting the political system. However, in the largest extent the merge of societal security and populism are triggered by the political elite, and the recipients of their communication - the citizens. It is related to the belief, which is increasingly affecting the public that ‘the elite should do what people order them to’ (Markowski 2004: 14). Undoubtedly, this situation creates series of consequences related primarily to the lack of political and economic civic competences. On the other hand, it may contribute to the growth of citizens' dissatisfaction with the government actions that results in the loss of the legitimacy.

 

Key words:

social security, populist attitudes, populism

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2016-12-01



Journal: Political Preferences

The Czech Republic 2014 European Parliament Election: Voters Gone Out, New Parties In

Petr Kaniok

Language: PL | Published: 01-07-2014 | Abstract

This article describes and evaluates 2014 Czech European Parliament (EP) election. Starting with the context of the election, it goes through all relevant party actors participating in the election and introduces them both in general ideological terms as well as in relation towards the European integration. After results of election are discussed, the article concludes that 2014 EP election confirmed recent changes in the Czech party system - inter alia destabilization of the system as a whole, reconfiguration on its right wing and emergence of populism. Concerning the European message of the election, their results confirmed their second-order character.

Key words:
EP  election  2014,  Czech  Republic,  ANO  2011,  party  system,  second  order  elections, ODS

2014-07-01



Journal: Political Preferences

European Parliament Elections in Lithuania: Populist Competition in the Shadow of the Presidential Vote

Gintaras Aleknonis

Language: PL | Published: 01-07-2014 | Abstract

The 2014 European Parliament elections in Lithuania were successful for mainstream political parties: no new-born political movement came up in the political scene; no open Euro-sceptic party was able to gain any seats. But such a victory came at a price: the major European topics (joining the euro-zone, land-ownership by the foreigners) were left aside; the EP electoral campaign was overshadowed by Presidential elections with populist discussions about Russian threats and national security. The coincidence of two political campaigns boosted the voter turnout and made a significant impact on the distribution of MEP seats; because of the higher turnout, smaller parties were able to enter the EP, while two established parties with devoted core voters suffered some losses compared to the 2009 EP elections.

Key words:
European Parliament, Lithuania, elections, campaign, electoral slogan, populism

2014-07-01



Journal: Political Preferences

Lithuanian Election 2016:the Mainstream Left and Right Rejected by Voters Angry with the Establishment

Virgis Valentinavicius

Language: PL | Published: 20-07-2017 | Abstract

In the 2016 Lithuanian parliamentary election the established political parties suffered an unexpected andcrippling defeat at the hand of the Lithuanian Peasant and Green Union (Lietuvos valstiečių ir žaliųjų sąjunga, LVŽS), a populist one-size-fits-all formation. The traditionalmessage of the establishment parties to take care of the economy, to advance foreign investment and improve business climate did not appealto voters, while the LVŽS made a pointof talking about issues people wanted to hear: the need to tackle social exclusion and poverty; to addresstheprivileged position of big business; to fight endemic corruption; to deal with the underfunding of education and culture. The electoral message of the winner combines the hard left promise of radical change on socioeconomic issues and the far right conservative approachto identity politics, human rights, minority rights, gender equality, and refugees. The LVŽS did its best to look as an anti-establishment, anti-party politics force, a loose and wide amalgam of contrastingpersonalities and contradicting messages. At the same time, the major factor behind the ‘revolutionary’ victory for radical change seems to be the inability of the mainstream parties to sense the change of sentiment of the electorate and to addressthe growing grievances of the public. The Lithuanian anti-establishment revolt is being compared with Donald Trump’s victory in the US, Brexit in the UK, Poland after the last election in 2015, and Hungary under Victor Orban.

 

Key words:

Lithuanian politics, Lithuanian election, party politics, populism, establishment, radicalism

2017-07-20