Rebellion of the Impatient
Populism in East Central Europe
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Populist politicians and parties are meeting with success. They are openly or latently calling into question principles of liberal democracy such as rule of law, pluralism, and protection of minorities. In terms of content, issues, and ideology, populism has many facets. It extends from the extreme right via anti-modern agrarian parties and social populists to left-wing egalitarianism. Most are social-spirited, national-minded, and Eurosceptic. The populists receive support from the periphery, from the losers in urban centres, and increasingly from the “impeded middle-class” whose hopes have remained unfulfilled. The consensus from the period of the accession to the EU to accept social hardships no longer functions. The success is an indicator for a continuing deficiency in functions within state and administration.
(Osteuropa 2-3/2009, pp. 333–348)