Description
Book SynopsisRecent years have seen a populist wave across the Western world, exposing the vulnerabilities of liberal democracy and driving the political agenda to the right. In 2017 the far-right populist party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), swept into the Bundestag, claiming to be the voice of the people against a corrupt liberal elite and making waves with a series of extremist statements and overturning the delicate post-war political consensus. ‘We are the People’ examines the sudden growth and radicalisation of the AfD, from Eurosceptic beginnings in 2013 to a far-right populist party with an influential extremist, ethno-pluralist wing. The AfD’s use of inflammatory, xenophobic and even Nazi-era language has raised fears that, once again, Germany has a right-extremist party in parliament. Bochum lucidly explains the group's ideology and how their brand of populism is distinct and based on German experiences and history. Worldwide political and economic insecurity make it possible support for the AfD will grow in coming years and Bochum examines ways in which experiences both in Germany and the UK illustrate how the populist tide can be stemmed, warning against the adoption of populist policies by the political mainstream.
Trade Review"The book offers readers a valuable insight into the development of the AfD and its various factions, providing a useful springboard from which readers can broaden their understandings of the contemporary German political landscape and its recent controversies." * LSE Review of Books blog *
"A well-written introduction to the subject." * The Chartist Magazine *
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We Are the People provides a timely attempt to analyse what is driving [the AfD], and how to counter its appeal." * The World Today *
“Penny Bochum offers a timely analysis of the rise and radicalisation of the AfD. As ‘never again’ comes dangerously close to ‘once again,’ many Europeans have yet to avail themselves fully of the threat the new far right poses to our democratic politics. The book shines a light on this danger. It is an important contribution to efforts to protect European societies from these new authoritarians.” -- Dr. Luke Cooper, consultant researcher at the London School of Economics
“This extremely insightful work not only expertly charts the rise of the AfD in Germany, but puts forward a convincing prospectus to deal with the populist challenge in advanced democracies.
We Are the People argues that established parties must become more effective at speaking to voters, bridging social divides, while combating declining faith in government and political institutions. The book is a must-read.” -- Dr. Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London
Table of ContentsRecent years have seen a surge of populism across the Western world, exposing the vulnerabilities of liberal democracy and driving the political agenda to the right. In 2017 the far-right populist party – the Alternative for Germany (AfD) – swept into the Bundestag, claiming to be the voice of the people against a corrupt liberal elite and overturning the delicate post-war political consensus in Germany.‘We are the People’ examines the sudden growth and radicalisation of the AfD, from eurosceptic beginnings in 2013 to its increasing extremism. Its leaders’ use of inflammatory, xenophobic and even Nazi-era language mirrors that of emerging far-right forces acrossmuch of the Western world. Bochum lucidly examines the group’s ideology, showing that their brand of populism is distinct and based on German experiences and history.
