Author Topic: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?  (Read 590 times)

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Offline endicom

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DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« on: May 12, 2018, 10:33:04 pm »
Power Line
Paul Mirengoff
May 12, 2018

William Galston of the Brookings Institution argues that liberal democracy “faces clear and present dangers” from a rising populist tide. Unlike members of the anti-Trump resistance, Galston is not in full panic mode. In his view, the various populist movements sweeping the West, including Brexit to Trumpism, are not at this time an existential threat to democracy. However, they are “beginning to question key liberal-democratic principles such as the rule of law, freedom of the press, and minority rights,” he believes.

Golston’s piece is well worth reading. However, David Azerrad of the Heritage Foundation finds Galston’s case unconvincing. He notes that the only damning piece of evidence Galston produces is a quote from a 2014 speech by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in which he embraces the idea of “illiberal democracy.” But even if Orbán turns out to be an autocrat (I’m a bit more worried that he will than David seems to be), this would hardly show that, as a general matter, the populism sweeping the West is a threat to rule of law, freedom of the press, and minority rights.

David finds no evidence of such threats in the U.S. under Trump. Nor is there any, as I will discuss in an upcoming post.

More... http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/05/does-populism-threaten-our-liberal-democracy.php



Offline endicom

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Re: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2018, 10:33:18 pm »

Mirengoff uses the term liberal correctly and doesn't foolishly equate populism with fascism. Bravo!

Offline INVAR

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Re: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2018, 10:43:32 pm »
As is often noted, we were never intended to be a Democracy at all. 

Of course now however, we are.

A Socialist Democracy with lip service paid to what we were intended.
Fart for freedom, fart for liberty and fart proudly.  - Benjamin Franklin

...Obsta principiis—Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers and destroyers press upon them so fast that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon [the] American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour." - John Adams, February 6, 1775

Online Cyber Liberty

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Re: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2018, 11:27:38 pm »
As is often noted, we were never intended to be a Democracy at all. 

Of course now however, we are.

A Socialist Democracy with lip service paid to what we were intended.

...and the Takers outnumber the Makers, so it's only a matter of time now.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline INVAR

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Re: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2018, 11:44:07 pm »
...and the Takers outnumber the Makers, so it's only a matter of time now.

Yes, on top of being a welfare state with open borders in debt to the tune of tens of trillions of dollars.

The laws of economics and human nature are going to come down upon our heads like the Twin Towers on 9-11.
Fart for freedom, fart for liberty and fart proudly.  - Benjamin Franklin

...Obsta principiis—Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers and destroyers press upon them so fast that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon [the] American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour." - John Adams, February 6, 1775

Online Fishrrman

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Re: DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2018, 02:21:44 am »
Title and premise:
"DOES POPULISM THREATEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY?"

I most certainly hope so.

(hey, isn't this supposed to be "a republic", anyway?)