Exploring the rise of populism and the far-right—and their threat to democracy.

In his lecture, Cas Mudde delved deeply into the global surge of far-right movements, analyzing their true nature and the ways far-right politicians seize power and undermine democracy. He began by revisiting the history of democratic development, identifying populism and far-right forces as the primary threats to liberal democracy in the 21st century. Mudde emphasized that populism inherently conflicts with liberal democracy because it is based on moralistic monism, which clashes with the pluralism and compromise that underpin liberal democratic systems.

 He expressed grave concern about far-right populists leveraging populism as a "host ideology" to advance their ultimate goal of creating anti-immigrant societies. Mudde also explored the evolution of the far-right since World War II, highlighting its characteristics and how it transitioned from the political fringes to the mainstream. He criticized the complacency of right-wing parties, which underestimated far-right populists backed by public support, ultimately contributing to the erosion of democracy.

 In closing, Mudde dismissed the notion of a crisis in democracy, arguing that the appearance of such a crisis is exaggerated by a vocal minority of populists, as evidenced by various public opinion polls. He stressed the need to strengthen democracy by re-politicizing and re-ideologizing politics, countering the damage inflicted by far-right movements. Cas Mudde’s lecture, The Politics of Hatred and Discrimination, offers valuable insights and potential solutions for societies grappling with political chaos and polarization.