The rise of modern populism - Takis S. Pappas

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

[@kerriekupar6466]

Ikr

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

@@kerriekupar6466 it's one of my fav qoute.

[@TheVoiceOfReason93]

Honestly, it's appalling that we Humans are so irrational.

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

@@TheVoiceOfReason93 yeah it's sad how easily our prejudice can take control of rational side of our mind.

[@soupisfun1239]

Thats an amazing, thought provoking one! Thanks for thus

[@joaovitormatos8147]

Something that always bugs me: populism is not left nor right. Both sides can be populist and also non-populist. Trust me, I live in Brazil. I'd say 30% of our presidents was NOT populist

[@fionafiona1146]

They however like "extrem" topics defined by the local Overton window

[@Tyh694]

I would add that populism is more like a tool for any politician who wants to appeal to the people. I'm not sure I can name a famous president who never used emotion to get the crowd on their side.

[@cinderball1135]

I think populism isn't so much about the message as the method - it's about attacking the rule of law, and saying "if you're not with us, we're gonna run you down".

[@1ucasvb]

The word "populism" serves no purpose now. The actual term we should use is "demagoguery", which is coopting populist language to merely gain power and act against the population. If populism is merely appealing to what people want, then what do we call genuinely popular and representative officials that do good to their population? You know, ideal candidates and representatives? Their message is clearly populist, so are their actions, and in a very real sense populism is the goal of democracy. So now everyone who is a true populist will be treated as a demagogue. Appealing to the needs of a population somehow becomes taboo in a democracy. This does a significant cultural damage too. The ideal solution in such a scenario becomes an official who rises to power in spite of what people want, then somehow gives them what they actually need, which that official knew better than everyone else all along. That is the premise of a benevolent dictatorship, which will never happen because power corrupts. If there's a single lesson in all of human history is that power corrupts.

[@1ucasvb]

@Brother Spartacus "Defunding the police" (which is about more than just reducing a budget, but many other related reforms) is not attacking "the rule of law". What many people (not "democrats", citizens like you, of all walks of life) are trying to do is holding the police accountable for its actions and limiting in scope as to not overstep their boundaries within existing law and social organization. That is exactly the definition of rule of law according to the US government: "Rule of law is a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are: 1) Publicly promulgated 2) Equally enforced 3) Independently adjudicated 4) And consistent with international human rights principles." (source: uscourts.gov) Police are currently violating all of this. They are not getting punished for homicide or physical harm, stealing (civil forfeiture) or abuse of power (many get paid suspensions), they are not being overseen by an independent institution (it's almost always internal investigations), they have many unique provisions in legislation to protect them (qualified immunity), they are consistently violating international human rights principles (friendly reminder airborne irritants or "tear gas" are considered chemical weapons by the Geneva Convention). So nice try, but no.

[@cristhian3460]

I wish they made a Spanish version of this video, I'd love to share it with people who don't speak English. Or at the very least add subtitles (or allow the community to add them)

[@TEDEd]

Hi there! Once a new video is published, it goes to our incredible network of Translators who work on subtitles in dozens of different languages, so Spanish subtitles for this video should be available soon! You can find out more (and even become a volunteer!) here: www.ted.com/participate/translate

[@jijov.j1545]

@@TEDEd pls , make a video about John f Kennedy vs history

[@lqui6766]

@@TEDEd i hope you got a tagalog version, and thanks for always making a great content more power.

[@siem9329]

@@lqui6766 Filipino*

[@michaelaeschbacher4648]

@@siem9329 Lol is that a joke?

[@Qodovah]

The thing is that it’s easier to please a crowd and win election creating a enemy than w/ a boring union discourse.

[@Epic-so3ek]

that's democracy

[@maddogtannen6984]

An enemy *

[@Quantum-Bullet]

Yeah sad that one can just say he'll fix everything (unrealistic) but enough people still vote for him...

[@anonmouse6337]

@@Quantum-Bullet unfortunately, most people are just not politically engaged, and don't realize when a politician is making an unrealistic promise.

[@lightfoster1970]

US democrats

[@alexandreventurellicavalhe8717]

We're facing strange times. Wish more people could have access to this content.

[@azyrael96]

it is not about access, but how you use it. many people could see this video in theory, but it is probably not very appealing to the broad population, even though it is important (which is true for many things)

[@joseantoniocicenia250]

o o o o

[@joseantoniocicenia250]

@Aaron T o

[@joseantoniocicenia250]

@Aaron T v

[@joseantoniocicenia250]

@@azyrael96 o o o

[@just-trying-my-best-everyday]

And of course, the animation and narration are beautiful as always.

[@left6121]

Kam, agreed.

[@Admin-bx5vm]

I wonder if at the beginning they were inspired by the short film “a Greek tragedy”

[@opus53waldstein70]

I like it when it's done by Addison Anderson :)

[@iansmith7826]

Indeed.

[@jeffcarroll1990shock]

The art style was done by a guy named Patrick Smith.

[@KaranSingh-or7yy]

*“Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid.”*

[@minamur]

that's a nice thought but it's not true

[@kushalvora7682]

@@minamur Not at individual level. But at society or national level this is true. The populist regime in most countries are incompetent in management. The people voting them in power because of the lies they say will soon face the consequences.

[@redgateocean3910]

Or that person can ask their daddy for a bail out towards their mass amount of debt paid to the truth. Leading to no lesson learned and a repeat cycle causing the collapse of a democratic nation 20 years later.

[@zerolingual9245]

@Karan Singh so true

[@asdfghjklasdfghjkl4973]

This is what happening to Hindus.

[@devonmiller636]

So as a response: what are we to do? What is the answer? How should we govern ourselves? Should we govern at all? What does philosophy and human nature tell us? I sometimes pretend I know the answers but as an American I increasingly am more and more confused by political systems and political parties and governance. What should we do? What should I believe?

[@veronicas2633]

Exactly how I’ve been feeling lately.

[@appleslover]

I have the same questions

[@Settiis]

You shouldn't worry about politics and life your life. simple AF.

[@randomknight2585]

Find out next time on political philosophy

[@orhblin]

Settiis "if you can keep it"

[@willnash7907]

The issue is that in a lot of democracies it is true at least to some degree that the defacto power is a plutocratic oligarchy. The issue isn't popular reaction but the tendency to allocate too much power in the figure of a leader.

[@teogonzalez7957]

This is why populism can be so dangerous, because what they say might not even be wrong, they just weaponize real grievances to amass power for themselves.

[@mrrandom3720]

The comments here summarizes the chaotic place we called home

[@appleslover]

I hate patriotism and randomness

[@minamur]

@Astute Cingulus word salad

[@appleslover]

@Astute Cingulus word salad

[@mrrandom3720]

Anarchy is a form of Government that there is no government to follow because of many factors that brought it down and the people can freely do what ever the Frick they want...Anarchist are the people who wants to bring down social order and so they are not Far Right but the far Left end of the Political spectrum...they do not care for anyone but themselves

[@gammarayneutrino8413]

@@mrrandom3720 Both far left and far right can be anarchists. Far left would be anarcho communism and right would be anarcho capitalism. Both are systems that exist (as ideas at least).

[@moonriverdale5771]

This is exactly the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte-the walking, talking id of the majority of thd Filipino people.

[@freddthurman3935]

This is so true. He was our town mayor before he became the president. The political situation in our country is getting weird.

[@a.rin16]

@@freddthurman3935 it's always been weird

[@brucebillb]

Totally agree. EJKs, unconstitutional anti-terror law and the snuffing out of all opposition in office, press and even activists. We're in a really bad place right now.

[@zulanpul-an2438]

Same can be said to the opposition.

[@wendysslave1965]

@@zulanpul-an2438 Expound.

[@callumreed398]

Everyone just commenting on how this is happening in their country 😂

[@arnavnarang8342]

Ikr lol

[@janet6421]

It's a popular tactic because it works.

[@Semi_Successful]

Yet people think One World Order isn't happening, whether it's deliberate or not. Its happening.

[@upublic]

@@Semi_Successful oh it's certainly happening. After we decimate billions of us in global nuclear warfare, climate-induced famine and possibly anti-biotic collapse. Yes, the millions of our grandchildren that survive all that, will certainly build a better united world.

[@SoulControlla99]

It's the right wing populists in India and Brazil people complain about. No one complains about the populists in Sweden and Denmark.

[@michatarnowski580]

It's sad to see how populism has damaged politics in Europe and is still damaging it. Hungary is close to a dictatorship, like Belarus and Russia two decades ago. Poland was also on that path, and the courts are still in mess after a year of repairing.

[@CDexie]

Hmm, weird to work with Papandreou as an example of how populism leads to an erotion of institutions and civil rights, when Papandreou actually came into power after Greece's disasterous military Junta, and the democracy established since has lasted up to today

[@Lazurath101]

Yeah this video is dogshit, it conflates left-wing populism with right-wing populism and doesn’t even address how to fix inequality

[@GentlemanWiz]

@@Lazurath101 the point was populism can be either wings. And equality? Of what? The video is 6 minutes and is about the rise of modern populism. You're like asking a steak tutorial video why they don't tell you how the mashed potatoes are made. It's related sure, but that's not what the video about

[@martaaleksejczuk1660]

Yes, Papandreou was pro-democracy, anti-dictatorship and did some real positive changes in Greece (health-care, workers rights, civil rights). Not being 100% pro NATO doesn't make you a populist.

[@wb5036]

@@Lazurath101 equality of .... ? opportunity? melatonin? genitals? ideas?

[@Lazurath101]

@@wb5036 Wealth. Populism arises when the gap between rich and poor becomes unsustainable and the people feel disaffected. Excessive inequality is empirically bad for a society.

[@HudsonNosduh]

This is exactly what’s happening With the moon civilization of Titan

[@Nikolaslopezz]

Titans real? Thanos home planet exist?

[@yjg201100]

President Moon also is destroying the democracy in s. KOREA.

[@richdotcom406]

I didn't understand your comment. pls expalain me. Did You mean real titan moon of satrun?. Pls explain me

[@Squill4]

Rich Dotcom ye titan is warmed from the intense gravity of Jupiter stretching and pulling it along with natural internal heat so it is theoretically the right conditions for life but any life there would in in its great ocean under 100km of ice or sumthing like that

[@Lheticus]

I wanted to give this a like, but I'd be ruining a good thing if I did that.

[@GapWim]

Doesn’t this also describe the current political climate in America? Villify the opponent in smear campaigns and breed profound distrust in governing institutions.

[@alduinfeetpic9250]

Yep. However, it does need to be noted that the Americas are a special case, in that it can very well be argued that their governing institutions *are* worthy of distrust. Sooo... what do you do in such a situation?

[@bryancortes9083]

I was thinking the same. Just the other day Trump called the FDA "The Deep State. "

[@ShankarSivarajan]

@@alduinfeetpic9250 A special case? Which country do you think has governing institutions that _aren't_ worthy of distrust?

[@ShankarSivarajan]

@@bryancortes9083 Who voted for the people running the FDA? That's all the term "deep state" means: unelected bureaucrats with power.

[@alduinfeetpic9250]

@@ShankarSivarajan All are worthy of distrust, it's what keeps them somewhat in line. It's just that America's bureaucracy seems exceptionally inefficient, hinting at exceptional corruption and nepotism.

[@toni_baloney]

4:00 don't tell me that does not look like duterte 💀

[@jaydan3537]

and Cory

[@prakharchaudhary9797]

Who is he ??

[@andalilbitqueer]

@@jaydan3537 i feel like they were going for miriam tho so i'm not sure :p

[@andalilbitqueer]

@@prakharchaudhary9797 the philippine president

[@ohsomeJake]

@@andalilbitqueer I thought that too but in the trump cartoon they showed who i'm guessing is michelle obama so i'm not sure but I think they're just trying not to implicate themselves of any bias haha

[@harjansandhu2990]

An excellent animation that clarified a lot of what I was already exploring. Thanks for the great content TED, continue informing us in accessible ways

[@festol1]

"Hi, I'm Brazil. Nice to meet you."

[@LucasFerreira-lz7ed]

Lula & Bolsonaro 😭💔 horrible people.

[@aparajitasuman9727]

Hi, I am India. Namaste!!!

[@EveryoneElseIsWeirdImNormal]

I'm assuming English isn't your first language but the correct sentence would be "hi I'm from Brazil nice to meet you" and you don't need to use " if you are the one talking only if you are quoting others

[@pineapples_can_fly9762]

Hi, I am Portugal. How are you?

[@rafaelgolucci3537]

@@EveryoneElseIsWeirdImNormal I'm assuming humor is not your first language, but it was a joke

[@vickingvicbubble8042]

Populism overall puts the emphasis on what the people thinks is best. Institutions can become corrupted, and become distrusted by the people. It is only natural that the people should have to vote on making changes to their institutions and have the power to elect and recall the people in charge of these institutions.

[@alexandermestre5208]

The modern history of my beloved Venezuela

[@elmosca8961]

F

[@ponasenkoepifantsev377]

F

[@Julio7514]

Jajaj csm rip nosotros :'v

And Mexico

[@homog3nic]

Hugo Beltrán Mexico isn’t like Venezuela rn, no mames.

[@ErosAnteros]

Does anyone see an irony in this video saying that populists claim that their opponents undermine society... while it claims that populists undermine society? Like how liberal democracy is actually a populist movement in a lot of countries, and actively feeds reactionary politics?

[@AnimeProphet666]

Majority rule is bad when the bad guys do it and empowering democracy when the good guys do it.

[@jjs7837]

It says populism undermines the foundations of liberal democracies.

[@ErosAnteros]

@@jjs7837 But the point is that liberal democracy itself often is populist. I doubt George III of England or Louis XVI of France would disagree... Populism can be used as a blanket disparagement of any political movement you disagree with, just like "partisan," "reactionary," "ideological"... they're largely meaningless and demonstrate a lack of self-awareness on the part of liberal democrats. There's no ideology more privileged than one that can claim it isn't ideological and no popular movement more deluded than one that claims it isn't populist.

[@gammarayneutrino8413]

@@ErosAnteros This video is talking about a _type_ of populism, not all populism.

[@melt6894]

It’s called conspiracy. Creating a false information base to rile up the people on your side. It does undermine society, and in many ways this type of populism is ironic.

[@jsmea5445]

this is exactly what is happening in the Philippines right now

[@TylerSolvestri]

Dutarte is selling the country to China, when that entirely happens then at least you guys will be the first one in explain the westerns how oppression actually works.

[@gabrielledriz6624]

The way that the character at 4:01 looks like du🐢

[@PhiNicMC]

That is why they took a jab at around 1:06

[@Kokozaftran]

Yep. Witnessing this atm. The imbeciles are taking advantage of the crisis (pandemic) to consolidate power -- like dictators do.

[@jaydan3537]

@@PhiNicMC also at 3:59 looks like Duts and Cor

[@LeprosuGnome]

What good is the system if it is corrupt and doesnt solve the population's problems?

[@aidenhubbard5591]

I absolutely agree. The way that this video frames democracy and populism as diametrically opposed with the latter always being a bad thing compared to that which it seeks to replace or destroy makes me very uncomfortable.

[@LeprosuGnome]

@@aidenhubbard5591 yeah man, this is just way too biased, it never questions the problems democracy has and keeps repeating itself as if the system were correct. Frames populists as people who are just carismatic and against democracy. This is the first time I'm disappointed with a Ted ed video.

[@artman7780]

@Leprosu Gnome The elites want to keep all power for themselves to forcefully impose their agenda and will do whatever it takes for that, by even making “populism” a derogatory term when democracies are supposed to be by the people and for the people.

[@Riptize]

@@artman7780 I don't believe Ted represents any kinds of elites and this video is correct in that it points out how populists would rather stir up the pot and make enemies instead of talking about what the real problems are. Populists also never respect the necessity to protect minorities which is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. Now, if there were more people like, for example, AOC (a US congresswoman who, as I know, runs 'for the common people' or whatever as a new challenger and who isn't funded by corporations unlike a lot of her counterparts) who actually point out the issues that our institutions have instead of tearing those institutions apart (which is happening in Poland as far as I am informed with their media), something that populists do, we'd be much better off. Unfortunately, however, people, being completely uninformed about politics, keep electing the same old corrupt gas bags that have held the position for a decade and haven't changed anything, the same old corrupt politicians that give rise to populists. All in all, my point is that populism is not the answer to dealing with a seemingly failing liberal democracy.

[@wb5036]

@@Riptize NO! The functioning of a democracy is equal opportunity and equality before the law. Everyone is a minority. When the English starved the Irish, was their skin colour relevant? When the Muslims practiced slavery, even into the 20th century, who was the minority and was it relevant? When the Greeks and Romans "borrowed" culture from the Mesopotamian people, who was the minority? The answer is "it doesn't matter" because the ONLY thing that matters is the ideas and that they operate without prejudice, Your "minorites" is code for prejudice and divisiveness. Equal opportunity is the antithesis of what you push for. I am pushing for equal opportunity. I see individuals. You see genitals and melatonin. One of us is clearly wrong.

[@garcalej]

More like “populism asks all the right questions, but then gives all the WRONG answers.”

[@manhithpillai2846]

Living in India in 2024, the symptoms of populism are rife here. Never stop educating,Ted!❤

[@abdr3]

The issue is that in Liberal Democracy the institutions are supposed to represent the people, yet they only represent global special interests. Populists are right that the institutions do not represent the will of the people but of unelected bureaucrats in global organizations. If the establishment does not root out corruption, and the values of the establishment stray too far from the average citizen, they are inviting populism. Ultimately populism is a necessary backlash to hold the establishment accountable for their self-serving policies which are based on enriching themselves and not serving the people. The establishment always talks about the dangers of the rise of populism, yet seem to be oblivious that their own actions are the REASON why populism is emerging with strength worldwide.

[@Bagunka]

How are independent courts, parliament and freedom of press counterproductive? These checks and balanced protect us from dictatorship and provide the rule of law. Without this you get Russia, Hungary or Turkey - dictators that profit but pretend to help common people.

[@callistine8559]

Came here to point out how this is what's happening in my country of India, and guess I'm not alone; Brazil, Turkey, Philippines, and others all face the same thing. It is ironic that something that could destabilize democracy, used the same democratic processes to rise to power.

[@rafaelvicho3551]

As someone from Philippines, I totally agree.

[@herrkommandank675]

​@@rafaelvicho3551 In the case of the PH, populism has actually improved the socio-economic situation here, an election of Duterte was seen as a political shaker and a neoconservative juggernaut. People didn't like the Liberal Party's flawed economic reform, which ironically made the country more of a "welfare state" during PNoy's Administration, mismanagement of the manufacturing and agricultural industry, the dependence of remittances, and unresolved issues of criminality and secessionist groups. It was Duterte that further strengthened liberal economic reforms, which saw a growth of our manufacturing industry, the decline of reliance of remittances, where remittances once took up at least 12% of our GDP in 2014, to just 8% in 2019, and the peaking of our FDIs back in 2017 and recently in 2022. His tax reform has made 90% of the labor force exempted from income tax it has tax more tax-worthy industries and products, such as the sugar, tobacco, and the alcohol industry. It's his Build Build Build Infrastructure Program that has signified the public and lawmakers that spending 5-6% of our GDP in infrastructure is better for the sustainability of economic growth of our country. The War on Drugs and further strengthening laws against criminality lead to 74% decrease of Index Crime (Based on the PNP's Database), from what it was from 2016 (130k) to just around 30k in 2019, homicide rate declined to 4.4 cases per 100k citizens, from a high of 10.76 cases per 100k. The ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which gave Muslims greater autonomy, has led to peace deals with the MNLF and the MILF. The NTF-ELAC significantly decrease the Maoist NPA's guerilla capability.

[@theeternal6890]

That's not true in India.

[@exsurgemechprints2671]

3:59 the man eerily resembles Duterte and his hand sign.

[@saptarshighosh761]

In India the populists are riding cuz the people chose them , it is rebel against the previous oppressive fascist congress government .

[@matthewlee4834]

Amazing, absolutely amazing. More people need to see this video and/or understand this discussion

[@lemonjames8803]

I want to see a leader compliment the other politicians

[@AryanSingh-ru8lg]

Liberal democracy creates populism inherently. As a system, it is so broken that world leaders have on numerous occasions sacrificed liberal values in the name of protecting the Western liberal democratic hegemony, such as by propping up authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and the Baltics. It is no wonder that dissatisfaction can arise in such societies, the same dissatisfaction that populist leaders play on. Communism, fascism, anarchism, Islamism, ethnic nationalism, right-wing populism, all of these arise in societies where liberal governments, in their arrogance, betray their own ideals and disenfranchise huge swaths of the population. If you want to discuss populism, you must first acknowledge the failure of liberal democracy as a political system.

[@kritikasrivastava530]

So true...

[@konanpl8936]

There is no autoritharian regime in Baltic states (Lithuania, Latwia, Estonia)... They are all regular democracies.

[@dirkgonthier101]

True, populism is a threat to liberal democracy. But populism can only exist if liberal democracy doesn't work anymore. If its broken and can only produce bad results. And since the 90's nothing good came out of liberal democracy.

[@ismaelismael8543]

I agree. However, it's important to understand populism as a sympthom of a broken democracy, not as its solution

[@dirkgonthier101]

@@ismaelismael8543 There are also populists who propose certain solutions for existing problems. Like the Vlaams Belang in Flanders. Flanders has paid constantly for Belgium since the day off its conception, it got nothing in return (on the contrary, we lived for more than a century without an official recognition of our lanuage, we've been discriminated, for the last 20 years the Frencophones are ruling over us against the wishes of any Flemish majority and bringing us ever closer to a bankruptcy of Belgium (currently we're the worst country in Europe, according to the UN)). Now the Vlaams Belang proposes that Flanders becomes an indipendent state. Polls tell us that the Vlaams Belang becomes the biggest party in Flanders when we have elections in 2024.

[@ufoinsider6932]

No one talking about how almost all these tyrannical movements being coordinated by Russia in one way or another 🙄🙄🙄

[@aimexcellence1315]

love from india...the largest liberal democratic nation but nowadays here "liberal" word is being used to abuse someone.

[@aparajitasuman9727]

So true

[@prakharchaudhary9797]

And andhbhakt or blind followers also

[@SecredMinds101]

Liberal in india only create mess, they can only shot on majority for not giving thing to minority, yet when minority do same they just shut there view on that time

[@prakharchaudhary9797]

@@SecredMinds101 true and vice versa also.

[@koushikdas5097]

@@SecredMinds101 Liberalism is a Cancer that eats the country from inside.

[@d.c.2775]

Mexico’s AMLO is a very good example of this. Thanks for sharing.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrés_Manuel_López_Obrador

[@homog3nic]

how is he a good example of this? I speak very little english and didn’t understand the video fully

[@deskubrir]

“Al diablo con sus instituciones” by Andrés, the person who used populism to get to the power and ruin our country.

[@infochaser]

Excellent information. Love this channel. Always come up with valuable information.

[@John-tc9gp]

Beware of anyone who paints populism as being bad, while institutions are good. This is facile, bordering on propaganda. Neither are inherently good or bad, it depends on the situation and people involved. Sometimes populism is necessary when dealing with corrupt or out of touch institutions that are failing to act in the best interests of the people from whom they derive their power and legitimacy. USA would not exist were it not for populism!

[@romymaranesi4907]

Compare the per-capita COVID-deaths per state - pro-Trump populist states are the best example. You have to lose family to understand how populism works.

[@abesto4576]

Isn't democracy based on executing the will of the people in the first place? Thanks for all the replies:)

[@bovo698]

Not indiscriminately

[@satyakisil4289]

Well, it is also supposed to prevent mob rule.

[@TheFeldhamster]

Yes, but not like people think. If everything is just voted on directly, you end up with problems like mob rule and the not in my backyard phenomenon. Or problems coming from individualism, like the tragedy of the commons problem. You need a bit more structure (iow institutions) than just people voting directly on stuff.

[@robertjarman3703]

@@satyakisil4289 In any given assembly of people, how often do you think the turnout is actually reflective of people's sentiments? Modern elections have often high turnout, 80% or so, and use secret ballots. That would be in the realm of 35 million people in France in 2012. France has very frequent protests, but electing a president doesn't work that way. People must vote in secret free of consequences other than to their own conscience.

[@gnero420]

@@djdjdjshhsuss3941 Still, it's no wonder those emotions exist after Failed Governments like the Italian, Swedish, or other Liberal ones.

[@kenle2]

This pretty clearly plays fast and loose with Liberal Democracy and its valuing of things like a "Free Press" and "National Constitutions". Most Western nations require government licenses to practice as a "real journalist" and pretty clearly collaborate with the major media companies (a few of whom are CHARTERED, PARTLY FUNDED AND ADMINISTERED by the governments themselves). Likewise, Constitutions are regularly twisted intp knots to justify any policy the permanent administrative state decides to enact "for the peoples own good". "When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.’ ’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’ ’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master - that’s all. Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass The state "is to be master" if they dont like what "the people" say.

[@imacompoza]

For example, people like Shinzo Abe, Donald Trump are successful right wing populists. They’re good at using nationalism to appeal people and vote, building up a large population of extreme patriots at the same time. Whilst Abe is pulling the country to the extreme right pole. On the contrary communism is another type of populism too. They appeal people using hatred towards rich people to gain power, then always result in dictatorship. Same for left or right, populism is just some extremists using hatred towards certain group of people to get power. It’s a great threat to democracy and humanity.

[@imacompoza]

Ix Suomi すみません、中国共産党は左翼政党とは言えません。日本では中共と一番似た政党は日本第一党です。中共が極めて保守で極端愛国思想を唱えているのです。そもそも右翼でなければ左翼という考え方は間違いです。中道という言葉はご存知ですか。

[@vickykaushik8764]

Feels like you are talking about today's india

[@Paul-A01]

I find this explanation vague. Every politician I've seen claimed to speak for " the people" paint their opponents in a bad light and decry institutions that they seek to reform.

[@davidstoyanoff]

Exactly. Because populism works to get these politicians elected. Look at the comments if you don't believe me. Everybody's doing it except China and North Korea because they're communist dictatorships of course

[@abhi-wi2mj]

Left or right ideologies may sound different...but it's not left vs right. It's those in power vs the rest of the population so the population have to be satark . Left vs right is also a way to take our attention off the fact that no one in power does anything good whichever side they are from..... drama helps hides other potential drama

[@viracocha2021]

To say that our institutions don't need any change is to not understand the problem at all. I dont want to dissolve the courts or end with the free press...it's because I dont see any free press or courts that apply to everyone that I follow this view of "politics vs the people"

[@PlayingJef]

Exactly what is happening in India. A charismatic leader, Extravagant Promises and crushing of all Democratic Institution.

[@daeconoholic1784]

Economics is not a demagog's cup of tea !!!

[@anikettiwari3900]

can relate it to India. the ruling party has full control over mainstream media, anyone who speaks against the government is treated as Anti-national. and minorities are completely ignored, mob lynching is increasing and many more............

[@kumquatsmangoes5354]

Everyone in the comments: [Insert America, The Philippines, Spain, India, Brazil, etc.]

[@Kriegerdammerung]

Yes, but America is a continent :/

[@TheRealObamagaming]

@@Kriegerdammerung did you mean the america?

[@HopeRock425]

@@Kriegerdammerung he means the USA

[@joerionis5902]

That's because it is correct Trust me I live in one of these

[@Kriegerdammerung]

@@HopeRock425 I know, he should have wrote "the United States", the name's there

[@gw7120]

There are different types of populism , political versions with clear definitions as well , go and look it up because ted ed wont tell you

[@luisurdiales3091]

They outright told you that in the beggining and that the reason they were focusing on this type of populism (the most common rn) was time.

[@gw7120]

@@luisurdiales3091 at which point did they do this ,timestamp pls.

[@AMRARDvermebrungruppe]

It should be illegal to fix the broken system. The brokenness of the system should be enshrined in the constitution! That way, the people will always be oppressed and we can exploit them!

[@littleantukins4415]

I advocate for controlled democracy to stop "unesseccary populist movements"

[@RubenAlbertoMorenoZavala]

Sadly, I just couldn't help thinking on Mexico's current president, failing to escape each and every element of the description given. Our labour in education must be to prevent societies against these irresponsible and costly behaviours by political leaders from any part of the political spectrum.

[@babyblooddistilleriesinc3131]

5:01 liberal democracy refers to a political system. On the other hand respect for institutions like court rooms, free-press, and national constitutions are cultural attributes. Claiming that liberal democracies somehow ALWAYS have these attributes seems nonsensical. Of course it can be said that liberal democracies work best when there exist such and such attributes in the culture of the people but that is not what was said in the video. From 2:21-2:42 it says that liberal democracies where only established after ww2. That is quite the claim. 1:15 Yeah that is not fascism.

[@CDexie]

Yeah, this video seems quite odd with many stated claims just merely scraping by factual accuracy.

[@AranJackson]

This really highlights that governments who continue to ignore the increasing wealth gap has led to a rise in modern populism. All we need to do is start taxing the richest 0.1% at a higher tax bracket and invest the funds back into the country responsibly.

[@julianrobertson1869]

The problem then is that the ones doing the taxing and redistribute are themselves the 0.1%

[@anandsuryansh2971]

this is what's happening in india and turkey. Both the leaders are trying to promote authoritarianism and the people just don't seem to realise it

[@twincrier6971]

I'm confused, is this video really saying Monarchy is the only option? Because that's the only think left if you don't want people to decide in their best interest.

[@Gigadanopoly]

Can two opposing populist movements exist in the same space peaceably or are they bound to colliding only leaving 1 remaining?

[@DaChackaX]

The premise of this video is flawed in that it claims the major issue in populism to be undermining of the institutions of liberal democracy, not direct damage to the people. Yes, populism undoubtedly harms groups of people, but that should be the focus not the upheaval of the rule of law. This oozes of centrist rhetoric and likely is meant to disparage far spectrum (mostly far left) citizens who ask for widespread change and reform by claiming such things would undermine integral institutions to "liberal democracy". We're happy when our ideals happen quickly, suddenly, and with strong support, but if it's anything out of the norm it's clearly is populism "creating" a "nonexistent" ruling class to justify their means of grievance.

[@SirEnd3r]

Populist doesn't necessarily mean non-centrist. In this video it seem their argument is about how populist politicians use strategies such has demonizing their opponents and making themselves seem like an "angel". Because of these types of tactics it causes problems for democracy by ignoring charters of rights. They don't really make a good argument though probably because their trying to appeal to as many people as possible.

[@adrenalinevan]

exactly lol this video REALLY takes the side of the institutions, which may very well be corrupt! it plays directly into the hands of populists

[@DaChackaX]

SirEnd3r yeah what you’re saying is the reality of things, but that’s not how @tedEd presented it

[@buzhichun]

Exactly. Thank you. Blindly stating "institutions" == good is and criticizing them == bad... it's almost propaganda.

[@DominicMaca]

@@SirEnd3r All politicians do that.

[@yjg201100]

This is really good video explaining what's happening in the world right now.

[@neonlight1214]

Love the great work by Ted Ed but I must highlight this. At 1:20 small mistake, putting "manipulation and deceiving voters" with "certainly democratic" doesn't make any sense. It is not democratic when people can't have freedom to vote what they believe. Their opinion is largely influenced by these politicians. We have seen this happening this year, the presidential elections in Serbia and Belarus. Both democratic, but ofc not completely.

[@wb5036]

Socrates talked about why he didn't like Democracy... He felt it would lead to Demagoguery. I haven't read this link but the summary seemed to capture the intent well. www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/why-socrates-hated-democracy/ This video was not very good. Thinly viled propaganda that doesn't believe in equal opportunity.

[@jorgeamadosoriaramirez8953]

The concepts are correct. The only thing missing is the evaluation: Populism is not always wrong, and liberal democracies are far from being the solution to humanity's problem.

[@nitin9922]

Frankly, even populism has no solution to humanity's problem

[@madelineliu1102]

I think TedEd left that out on purpose. Maybe they want you to evaluate populism for yourself, rather than give their take on it :)

[@gabbar51ngh]

Yup. Populism is often good.

[@Quantum-Bullet]

5aral if it stays democratic, doesn't suppress minorities and actually fixes thing yeah. But not what happens in the US or Brazil...

[@gabbar51ngh]

@@chluff supporting Communism is the real cringe.

[@ThainaYu]

This was not accounted for the corrupt institution itself To put it simply, you need to learn about Thailand man

[@deepstariaenigmatica2601]

don't know about the Thailand man but florida man needs to go 🙏🏽

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

@@deepstariaenigmatica2601 Agreed.

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

There is also something than can be called "anti-populist" propaganda. Mainly it consists on calling your political oponent "populist" in order to protect your political or economic priviledge

[@TheCymbalProject]

Bingo

[@cyrilmrazek6649]

Papandreou as an example is definitely an odd choice since he’s commonly credited for strengthening the democratic institutions (right to strike and strengthening parliament and local governments...) after long period of right-wing authoritarian rule.

[@Hannahmorgane]

There’s a really well researched book called reclaiming populism that I’m reading at the moment. Would highly recommend

Amazing video. It clearly explains what happened in Mexico who recently elected a populist and how his government is now destroying the country. Unfortunately this is happening in many Latin American nations. Please include Spanish CC so we can share the video in these countries and open people's eyes...

[@homog3nic]

The country was already destroyed, but this government isn’t making it any better. I cannot blame a single mexican for voting for AMLO, as he presented himself as different and as a support to the people, that’s why many people believed him and voted for him. Mexicans need an actual good president that cares for the people and not only the rich (without ignoring private companies completely), this would solve many of the countries problems, AMLO is just a facade of this as he’s not really helping.

[@richhahn2443]

This is the liberal's view of modern populism.

[@greenlemonboy9762]

This is literally trump In a nutshell. Showing down other leaders for siding with institutions, claiming to be the one for the common man while hurting the common men like me. You name it.

[@IncreibleTV2010]

Both liberals and conservatives can be populists. Argentina and USA (under Trump) were both populists countries.

[@rdyjur]

you say functional liberal democracies have utmost respect for courtrooms, free press, and national constitutions. But you kinda gloss over the fact that populism is also rising because of an utter lack of one or more of those things.

[@carjac820]

That is why they said "functional" It's barely a democracy if it lacks one of those things.

[@pauljames264]

This is exactly what is happening in India right now

[@daeconoholic1784]

That's sadly true

[@Rikard_A]

Populism is to do something without thinking of the consequence and Cost to oneself and fellows.

[@zenmillli]

Brazil in 2020 described in a video...

[@hepatus1]

I would say "Brazil from 2003 to 2020"

[@osamabinladenmiliciano5.538]

Well, Bonoro isn’t the best but it’s better than the welfare people

[@crowan3664]

FUNNY how a video about populism tells viewers from all the globe EXACTLY what they want to hear. And they even comment "Yes, you're right, this is exactly what I wanted to hear".

[@jocwiklinski2797]

It refers to supression of the minorities , and that's why everyone who identify as a part of minority feels that the arguments are right . The problem is , that nowadays we are facing so called "tyrrany of minorities" , as our societies divided so much that those who declere themselves as Defenders of minorities , come to power .

[@crowan3664]

@@jocwiklinski2797 Everyone can identify as "part of a minority", ergo, anyone can say "yes, this video talks about me and my situation". Yet the irony is still there.

[@davidstoyanoff]

And yet the video provides no answers.

[@andbelov]

Then liberal democracy is not for me. Number 1 is ok, but number 2 is meh. There could be no common ground between corporation owners and the people of labour, because all that corporations own was created by labour.

[@REHANKHAN-en5zn]

As an Indian I see this happening in my country.

[@tusarindia]

Yeah... Let's defame Hindu gods.... might be handy for ya

[@mayurdahiwale5907]

+REHAN KHAN Yep something which I was thinking about most of the time the video ran

[@adeeb1787]

@Bharat Varsh yes, see populism, makes people not think that why some chose India and some chose Pakistan, doesn't make them think like a human. The media has corrupted them. And then they will say I am leftist. That's for you.

[@mayurdahiwale5907]

@Bharat Varsh It doesn't make me surprised to see a comment like this... And to add further, you shouldn't put the name of our country if you're being toxic, feels insulting.

[@mayurdahiwale5907]

@Bharat Varsh Brainwashed to the brim lol

[@mattmccoy2410]

I read between your lines. Very thoughtful explanation.

[@Vichikuma]

Video: "Populist leaders subvert democracy" Me: Yeah, like liberal democracy hasn't been subverted from the beginning by money. Votes can't be bought, but the sources from where voters get their info can, to the point of establishing monopolies of what's true, and giving unbalanced edges to those who can pay the price of the truth. No democracy will really ever exist until this issue is somehow solved.

[@robertjarman3703]

You are probably thinking of the United States in that example. It's not the only such country that is relatively liberal, and far from a good example. Many of the Fennoscandian and Germanic countries today do have it better and with less media concentration and less purchasing of media. Could they be better? Of course they could. Money is still a corrupting influence. But is it a weak point on which to start your climb up to a better society? No.

[@jorgej4071]

in México votes have been bought for many years

[@Vichikuma]

Robert Jarman Some parts of Europe may be an exception or a more mild case, but not the rule. I'm thinking of my country, Chile, where the president is someone who scammed a bank and escaped justice, but saved enough of that money to pay for a good presidential campaign. No one will tell you that he is a populist. He is just an example of corrupted democracy, one of many examples you can find anywhere in the world.

[@Vichikuma]

Jorge J It just makes it worse.

[@Eli-dp9hk]

Votes can be bought tho, just not always with money because that would be too obvious. Just look at those candidates that offer bags with food, shirts, etc. They promise to keep delivering food but they never do, it's just a tool to buy as many votes as possible before the elections

[@jijov.j1545]

Ted Ed ,Would u make a video about The science of friendship????

[@antran4465]

Yes, I think we all have experienced through this.

[@anubratabit3027]

5:22 Narendra Modi is the ideal example.

[@Johnsmith99663]

When people say they're concerned about the rise of populism what they really mean is they're concerned about democratic interference with the ongoings of neoliberal capitalism. Meaning they're worried that as the population becomes increasingly enraged with neoliberalism they may try to use parliamentary procedure or mass social movements or general strikes to push through programs which will help the population but harm private ownership of the economy by a small number of ultra-wealthy individuals. Neoliberals see ordinary people as being unworthy of having serious influence or ownership in the economy outside their participation as consumers and as a disposable workforce, so ordinary people standing up for themselves and demanding a better life has to be discredited and crushed at all costs. Any thoughtful person knows at this point that capitalism and democracy are incompatible (they always have been, but now is becoming especially so) and as a world we will need to choose between one or the other very soon. Peter Theil and Milton Friedman both openly talked about the need to eliminate or curb democracy so that neoliberal reforms to capitalism couldn't be opposed or "voted away" by the population being harmed by them. It's just that thanks to the climate emergency if we choose capitalism this time we may simply go extinct as a species. Neoliberals generally run to the nanny state for a bailout when the economy collapses (in violation of their own beliefs), but no amount of government handouts or government stimulus is going to save us from the collapse of the biosphere. It's unlikely the wealthy will be able to run away to Mars in time for it to be terraformed for human survival.

[@IncreibleTV2010]

So what happens when Donald Trump, a populist leader with neoliberal economic ideas is elected. Doesn’t that contradict the "peoples desire" to have a better life?

[@Rikard_A]

It have existed in Athens. Even autocratic rulers would use populism sometimes to get their will.

[@LaymanAcademee]

Populism is just democracy. Being charismatic is gift.

[@lordfacepalm98]

So many countries can see a version of this happening in the own home. The whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking how much of this applies to Bernie Sanders.

[@missmorbid1439]

Populism isn't really left-wing or right-wing, it can be either. I agree, Bernie Sanders is a populist, and so is Donald Trump. The difference being, the "ruling minority" is a different group, and so are the "common people". Whenever Trump appeals to the "silent majority", he's using populist rhetoric.

[@lordfacepalm98]

@Miss Cute I actually disagree with that. There should be checks on corruption, but good does come from billionaires. The aspects of jobs aside, some innovation needs deep pockets. Look at Elon Musk and his push toward space. NASA did very little for decades in terms of making a better rocket until Musk offered a better one. Amazon has lots of issues, but they also made it easy to buy and sell anything you can think of for millions. Now they're pushing into medications which will drop prices nationwide for pharmaceuticals. No small business could do that. The problem isn't billionaires, it's making checks on giant corporations to root out curruption.

[@lordfacepalm98]

@Miss Cute going to space will always be important. Our planet is limited. Until we learn how to harvest asteroids for minerals, take advantage of large scale travel, and learn to live in New environments, then we are at the mercy of the universe. Earth's already had several mass extinctions. I'd hate to think that humanity will never reach beyond this tiny little ball in a universe so massive. And leaning on the government as the leader of jobs is like going to the worst billionaires company and expecting it to be great. Government has always been the worst in wasteful spending, polluting, and bullying the little guy. They literally take our money to run, unlike businesses which have to be successful enough to produce a profit in order to pay their people. Trusting a government to handle everything is the most dangerous thing a country can do. They are accountable only to themselves.

[@seanlatorre7430]

I am shocked by how well this resonates with the current political setting in the Philippines.

[@Pedrosa2541]

The best definition of populism I've seen is one who compare it to a doctor. Some of the things in life requires us to take a sacrifice today in exchange of a greater good tomorrow, such it is when you need to go on a diet, start to exercise, eat less sugar, things you must do to life better and longer as a diabetic. A populist medic would propose a magic pill to cure this disease, who of course doesn't work, instead of these measures in hope of winning the client favour. The same way, a populist politician propose anything, regardless if its good or bad for the long term of all, in hope of winning an ellection and keep the power.

[@noahway13]

I live in US, but I'm thinking that everyone having a vote is not the best way. Honestly, the masses of people of plain idiots. A democracy is only as good as it's education system.

[@user-om9cf2tl8k]

That’s why education is so important

[@strange_and_magnificent]

I love this video's animation. Keep on making them TED Ed!

[@michaelwu7678]

You’re better than this Ted-Ed. How could you so easily tie together populism with demagoguery? For example, the Occupy Movement is populist but it is acephalous and democratic, with no demagogic leader. Also, you can’t just pit populism against institutions and democracy like they’re disparate things. Often times, populism is about restoring democratic institutions to their proper integrity and function, not dismantling them. I understand you need to simplify the material for a 6 minute video, but seriously there are clear oversights here that should have been addressed.

[@librarianbookhype]

Exactly. despite the title, the video doesn't cover the history of populism at all. Instead it spreads propaganda meant to smear the working class and their leaders as dupes that need to be governed by elites. the amount of people in the comments applauding this smear is revolting.

[@dinghanxue704]

I'm pretty sure you misunderstood the populism Ted-Ed is talking about. Populism is not about common people, but simply a way some political leaders utilize in order to seek for more power. It's a bad thing from the very beginning. If something is acephalous and democratic, it's not populism, at least not the populism Ted-Ed is talking about.

[@librarianbookhype]

@@dinghanxue704 no that's demagoguery, they need to pick up a dictionary

[@Nina-cd2eh]

@@dinghanxue704 But it's not fundamentally a bad thing. Populism simply means appealing to the concerns of the people, usually against a system that enables these issues. Whether you do that dishonestly or not, determines whether it's good or not. Edit: e.g. there's a huuuge difference between blaming the jews for all your problems, versus looking at the massive wealth inequality and the systems that enable it for example.

[@Nina-cd2eh]

Yeah, like I think it completely ignores that populism is a rhetorical tool, and it has its function even within a liberal democracy. This video is biased, in that it serves populism and its users as inherently distrustful and exploitative, and paints liberal democracy as the one and only infallible system. Any critic of the status quo, will _have_ to use populist rhetoric. Every politician ever, that has even remotely had a criticism of the status quo, and used current issues as a way to express their political position, has engaged in populism. That's not a bad thing. Taking a look at inequalities that materially affect people in negative ways, and using that as effective (and honest) rhetoric, is always a good thing, and it's the _only_ thing that defines political efficacy. If you can't convince people through words and actions, you're ineffective. And not even to mention that not all political sides use populism the same way.

[@madnozz]

This is the bible of Philippines' Duterte.

[@cef8270]

madnozz Not really. He’s the best president the Philippines ever had :)

[@MAC-vi7fy]

@@cef8270 Can't say the best or even the worst but, he will definitely be an important figure in the history of Phillipines negative or positive that time will tell

[@cef8270]

Well he is certainly adored by the majority of his countrymen. For some reason foreign media makes him look like the pinoys hate him. Crazy.

[@baconx2690]

@@cef8270 nope I definitely hate him.

[@cef8270]

baconx well you are part of the few that do 😊

[@vedikabehere2446]

Amazing video Ted ed thank you so much!

[@SamuraSan7204]

So what I gather from this is that 1.populism isn’t inherently bad but it can easily be used to take advantage of people’s emotions. 2.this means that the elected official is the most popular not the most competent. 3.populism can destabilize the systems in place which isn’t the same as overhauling unjust system. I wish the video was more in-depth but hopefully it encourages people not to be gullible.

[@akbarpratama2500]

This is currently happening in Indonesia.

[@chrono-glitchwaterlily8776]

How

[@kerangg6934]

The piece has perfectly sum up the current regime under Narendra Modi in India.

[@ashhkz2203]

Anybody being able to imagine Narendra Modi here🤣

[@opaulodetarso]

O cara que ganha 100.000 convence os que ganham 1.000 que é muita injustiça haver privilegiados que ganham 5.000 e que ele é o legítimo representante para ajudá-los a acabar com essa injustiça. No fim, em vez de todos ganharem 1.500, todos passam a ganhar 500.

[@prsjackal]

Most importantly, populism is not endemic to a specific ideology nor is it exclusive to only certain sides of the political spectrum. It is employed by all those seeking or wishing to retain power. The difficulty is that it has been used as a manipulative tool for positive change but also as a mechanism by those seeking nefarious outcomes. So is populism good or bad? The answer is yes. Unfortunately we live in a time where people are so blinded by their own biases that most fail to see populism’s manipulative nature.

[@ramanshyadav3775]

Please try to add subtitles in hindi so that the common people of the world largest democracy can understand it's value.

[@robertjlaw9485]

Populism is the opposite of Neo liberalism there you go

[@dylanmorris7160]

The point of view of this video is extremely biased in the favor of institutional systems of power. It paints all forms of populism as sinister and all institutions as protecting civil rights. Many forms of institutions are oppressive and promote the interest of the people who control them, and many populist movements are universalist and not base on factionalism.

[@leilamarie6008]

Pls make another video about this, this was just an introduction to this coplex and very relevant topic. Im often wondering why there are so many populist parties in different countries gaining power over the last years.

[@winzyl9546]

Modern populism doesnt even require a charismatic leader or even an "active" leader. All you need is a good disinformation campaign and a dynasty name.

[@maciejglowacki1997]

If only you knew how bad things really are. Greetings from Poland

[@Baby1234Blue]

It is horrific in Serbia, I think our government has long acsended this and gone to a completely new plane.

[@esotericsadgirl]

Poland is fine.