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Zeitgeister
 This Side of Populism

Global Talks Illustration: Johanna Benz

In global conversations between Budapest, Cairo, Brasilia, Nairobi, Moscow, Hyderabad, Salzburg and Zurich we debate common narratives of populists in different countries: Has the “elite” really lost contact with the “people”? What does it really mean to take people’s fears seriously? What is hidden behind the phrase “You still have to be allowed to say that”?

Let’s discuss!
 

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The experience of life in an autocratically governed country causes people to become cautious about restrictions [of basic democratic rights.]

Maria Stepanova

Jonas Lüscher und Michael Zichy

24.11.2020 | Jonas Lüscher & Michael Zichy
 A new spark of hope

With this last contribution, Jonas Lüscher and Michael Zichy bring the discourse on populism at Goethe.de/Zeitgeister to an end. The global COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the voice of populism to the background, and Joe Biden's election victory in the U.S. sparks new hope for democracy. There, the democratic integrity of state and federal institutions prevailed. How will the rest of the world follow suit?
Naren Bedide Photo: Naren Bedide

14.10.2020 | Naren Bedide
India is the pandemic

India is facing what is probably the worst crisis in her history. Naren Bedide narrates how a dilapidated public health system, massive unemployment, political arrogance and, as if that were not enough, a global pandemic threaten to break down a society that has never been united.
Maria Stepanova Foto: Gleb Morev

06.07.2020 | Maria Stepanova
 “Have we relinquished our rights too recklessly?”

Solidarity, military language, and the search for guilt at close quarters. Maria Stepanova writes to us from Russia, where Vladimir Putin won a political victory in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows him to hold the office of president until the year 2036. 
Youssef Rakha Foto: Youssef Rakha

18.05.2020 | Youssef Rakkha
 We the populists

How relevant is liberalism in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic? Do demands for freedom and democracy strengthen populists who address the existential fears of their respective populations with totalitarian leadership? Youssef Rakha examines populist and liberal voices through the prism of the current health crisis.
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor Photo: Marco Giugliarelli

20.04.2020 | Yvonne Owuor
 The Pestilence, the Populists and Us

In these surreal times, as the world reels under the weight of a global pandemic, Yvonne Owuor notes how our fragility knows no boundaries and the world suddenly shares a common language.
Jonas Lüscher Photo: Ekko von Schwichow

24.02.2020 | Jonas Lüscher
 One year Zeitgeister - what`s changed?

A right-wing election scandal in Germany`s federal state of Thuringia, the impeachment acquittal of Donald Trump, the continuing madness of „new“ politics, and the sheer helplessness of liberal ideas in the face of ubiquitous hatred paint a very gloomy picture. Jonas Lüscher reminds us why it is nevertheless still worth fighting.  
Carol Pires Photo: Rodrigo Levino

19.02.2020 | Carol Pires
 Jair Bolsonaro and Tropical Proto-fascism

One year after the reign of the populist Jair Bolsonaro in Brasil, Carol Pires takes stock of the political landscape in her country.
Michael Zichy Foto: Herbert Rohrer, Wildbild

06.12.2019 | Michael Zichy
 The many faces of populism

After the first round of an exciting debate from very contrasting perspectives the moderator Michael Zichy confirms one thing: there are varied manifestations of populism.
Naren Bedide Photo: Naren Bedide

04.11.2019 | Naren Bedide
 Populism without a people

Are regular elections by secret ballot and widespread participation by adult citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations, as is the case in India, the true hallmarks of a liberal democracy? Why is the majority so blatantly underrepresented in leadership positions? Naren Bedide answers these and many more questions on the Indian democracy.
Maria Stepanova Foto: Gleb Morev

09.09.2019 | Maria Stepanova
Has the intellectual class failed to offer an alternative in the resentment-driven state?

Today`s populists share a careless immersion in the past. Facts fall prey to the myth of a glorified past, for which citizens are willing to sacrifice civil and human rights, once again. 
Agnes Heller Photo: Robert Newald; © picture alliance/APA/picturedesk.com

Michael Zichy & Jonas Lüscher on the death of Ágnes Heller
 She was an exemplary exponent of a cultural elite

Àgnes Heller the Hungarian philosopher and sociologist and a member of this transnational dialogue, died on 19th July 2019 at the age of 90. The moderators, Jonas Lüscher and Michael Zichy pay tribute to an exemplary voice of reason and a valiant crusader for the freedom of conscience and expression.
Agnes Heller Photo: Robert Newald; © picture alliance/APA/picturedesk.com

Youssef Rakha on the death of Ágnes Heller
 Àgnes Heller – A legacy of inspiration

Àgnes Heller the Hungarian philosopher and sociologist and a member of this transnational dialogue, died on 19th July 2019 at the age of 90. The moderators, Jonas Lüscher and Michael Zichy pay tribute to an exemplary voice of reason and a valiant crusader for the freedom of conscience and expression.
Youssef Rakha Foto: Youssef Rakha

22.07.2019 | Youssef Rakha
 Populism – an organic excess of democracy itself!?

As Agnes remarked, today`s populists have come into power by democratic votes. They address a very real desire for clarity and security within nations, whose people feel overwhelmed and disfranchised.  

 
Agnes Heller Photo: Arild Vågen

17.06.2019 | Agnes Heller (Response)
 “There is no democracy without a cultural elite”

Ágnes Heller responds to Jonas Lüscher`s and Michel Zichy`s question: “What role does a cultural elite play in promoting democracy?”, which was posed to debators in the opening text An initial thought...  
Carol Pires Photo: Rodrigo Levino

12.06.2019 | Carol Pires
 Brazil, a Country of the Future? On the (Non)achievement of the Populist Bolsonaro.

How was it that the Brazilian people elected a man like Jair Bolsonaro as their president? Carol Pires on the political developments in her native Brazil - and why every populist is a threat to the whole world.
 
Jonas Lüscher Photo: Ekko von Schwichow

21.05.2019 | Jonas Lüscher
 Corruption, nepotism, “Führer“-politics, redeemer-myth; I simply can`t believe in “good populists.“

If dissatisfaction with the complexities of modern life were the only reason people vote for populists, wealthy countries would not have significant populist movements. The opposite is the case, however. 
Michael Zichy Foto: Herbert Rohrer, Wildbild

21.05.2019 | Michael Zichy
 It is a common hallmark of populists: “Defining“ the populos. Who belongs? Who does not?

Changes, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, put pressue on society. One outlet that has historically worked well for populists, is scapegoating.  
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor Photo: Marco Giugliarelli

16.05.2019 | Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
 We live in plural and diverse societies. Should the populism of a few concern us?

Populism in popular understanding assumes that, among other factors, at some point some demagogue will emerge to stand high on a podium to shout, mostly once illicit things on behalf of ‘the people’. That the quickest way to rise in politics is by choosing to thumb one’s nose at the assorted dogma and canons of political correctness. But there’s more to it.
Agnes Heller Photo: Arild Vågen

03.05.2019 | Agnes Heller
 In many ways, they are new players. But are they “populists“?

Populism – what does it actually mean? The Hungarian philosopher Agnes Heller on contemporary ethnonationalism, democracies, identity politics and “democratur” as a new form of governance.
Jonas Lüscher und Michael Zichy

29.04.2019 | Jonas Lüscher & Michael Zichy
 An initial thought...

Populists boast of saying out loud what the “silent majority“ only thinks, and so claim to represent the true interests of the people. Is it true that the opinions and interests of the majority are actually suppressed by an elite and its dictates of political correctness? Well, here our initial thought. We express it with the hope, to start a discussion in our diverse panel, and you, our readers. 
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Our debate team

No discourse without debaters. From Kenya, to Hungary to Switzerland: Our panelists form a truly international debate team. Each and one has experienced populism within their home country. Here, together with you, they discuss some core questions, relating to populism. Each debater adding their very own perspective. Get to know them, and join the debate!
 

Jonas Lüscher Photo: Ekko von Schwichow

Switzerland
 Jonas Lüscher

Jonas Lüscher, born in 1976, grew up in Switzerland, where he completed his training as a primary school teacher. In 2000 he moved to Munich, where he...
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor Photo: Marco Giugliarelli

Kenia
 Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor is a Kenyan writer. Her debut novel Dust (Knopf, Granta) was received to global acclaim, and was shortlisted for...
Youssef Rakha Foto: Youssef Rakha

Egypt
 Youssef Rakha

Youssef Rakha is a novelist and poet who writes in both Arabic and English. His interests include amateur pornography in the Arab world and the possibility of a post...
Michael Zichy Foto: Herbert Rohrer, Wildbild

Austria
 Michael Zichy

Michael Zichy is an Austrian philosopher. He spent his childhood in Burundi, Togo, Italy and Austria. He studied philosophy at...
Maria Stepanova Foto: Gleb Morev

Russia
 Maria Stepanova

Maria Stepanova (b. 1972) is a poet, essayist, and journalist. She is the author of ten poetry collections and two books of essays, and a...
Carol Pires Photo: Rodrigo Levino

Brazil
 Carol Pires

Carol Pires has a master in Latin American Studies from Columbia University and is a contributing op-ed writer for The New York Times en Español. Her writing... 
Naren Bedide Photo: Naren Bedide

India
 Naren Bedide

Naren Bedide is a writer, translator, and poet in English and Telugu. He is one of the founders...

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