4 ms·

> Like it or not, political polarization is political engagement by the people We went from political apathy to populism. This "engagement" is largely by peopl

> Like it or not, political polarization is political engagement by the people We went from political apathy to populism. This "engagement" is largely by people who don't know anything about politics and have their emotions manipulated by unscrupulous politicians and biased reporting.

hunglee2 4y ago
> This "engagement" is largely by people who don't know anything about politics and have their emotions manipulated by unscrupulous politicians and biased reporting. surely not unique to the social media age
- surement 4y ago
  In terms of correlation at least, yes. Between the fall and the USSR and when social media presence became the norm, people were largely apolitical. Now it's all about owning the libs/cons.
  - drewcoo 4y ago
    Think bigger. Longer times. It's not unique. It is human. And Americans are human: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism_in_the_United_States
homonculus1 4y ago
When we do it, it's democracy. When THOSE PEOPLE do it, it's dirty populism!
- surement 4y ago
  didn't realize everyone thought it was a slur; I should've used the term anti-politics instead
pessimizer 4y ago
Populism is just a slur to apply to people you want to imply are too stupid to know what's good for them. The People's Party https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Party_(United_States) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Party_(United_States) called themselves populists, and fought for: "collective bargaining, federal regulation of railroad rates, an expansionary monetary policy, and a Sub-Treasury Plan that required the establishment of federally controlled warehouses to aid farmers. Other Populist-endorsed measures included bimetallism, a graduated income tax, direct election of Senators, a shorter workweek, and the establishment of a postal savings system. These measures were collectively designed to curb the influence of monopolistic corporate and financial interests and empower small businesses, farmers and laborers." The establishment hated this and made a full court media and institutional press to paint them as stupid rubes. Ever since everyone who the current establishment doesn't like, especially anyone who gives a shit about what voters say they want, is called a populist.
- surement 4y ago
  > Populism is just a slur to apply to people you want to imply are too stupid to know what's good for them. If you say so. It can also mean anti-politics. The example you give is for left populism. There is also right populism, e.g. a large part of Trump's voter base. > The establishment hated this and made a full court media and institutional press to paint them as stupid rubes. Yes, when the establishment is neoliberal, they will hate anti-political movements. Voters may not be rubes, but I find it hard to believe that everyone who was apathetic before 2016 and is now "engaged" is suddenly a scholar of government, history, and economics.

hunglee2 4y ago

> This "engagement" is largely by people who don't know anything about politics and have their emotions manipulated by unscrupulous politicians and biased reporting. surely not unique to the social media age

surement 4y ago
In terms of correlation at least, yes. Between the fall and the USSR and when social media presence became the norm, people were largely apolitical. Now it's all about owning the libs/cons.
- drewcoo 4y ago
  Think bigger. Longer times. It's not unique. It is human. And Americans are human: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism_in_the_United_States

homonculus1 4y ago

When we do it, it's democracy. When THOSE PEOPLE do it, it's dirty populism!

surement 4y ago
didn't realize everyone thought it was a slur; I should've used the term anti-politics instead

pessimizer 4y ago

Populism is just a slur to apply to people you want to imply are too stupid to know what's good for them. The People's Party https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Party_(United_States) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Party_(United_States) called themselves populists, and fought for: "collective bargaining, federal regulation of railroad rates, an expansionary monetary policy, and a Sub-Treasury Plan that required the establishment of federally controlled warehouses to aid farmers. Other Populist-endorsed measures included bimetallism, a graduated income tax, direct election of Senators, a shorter workweek, and the establishment of a postal savings system. These measures were collectively designed to curb the influence of monopolistic corporate and financial interests and empower small businesses, farmers and laborers." The establishment hated this and made a full court media and institutional press to paint them as stupid rubes. Ever since everyone who the current establishment doesn't like, especially anyone who gives a shit about what voters say they want, is called a populist.

surement 4y ago
> Populism is just a slur to apply to people you want to imply are too stupid to know what's good for them. If you say so. It can also mean anti-politics. The example you give is for left populism. There is also right populism, e.g. a large part of Trump's voter base. > The establishment hated this and made a full court media and institutional press to paint them as stupid rubes. Yes, when the establishment is neoliberal, they will hate anti-political movements. Voters may not be rubes, but I find it hard to believe that everyone who was apathetic before 2016 and is now "engaged" is suddenly a scholar of government, history, and economics.