Citizens United by Henry McLeish sampler

setting the scene amidst turbulent politics
which accompany authoritarianism, intolerance, economic nationalism
and right wing extremism. In the sweep of modern political history,
is this transitory or transformational? A tipping point or a blip?
Background noise or clear signals of a new normal being formed?
The context. The forces shaking and transforming the old political
order are globalisation, automation, technology, the digital revolution,
the Facebook era, the marketisation of society, the economy and
politics, austerity (the ongoing effect of the financial crisis of 2008),
the atomisation of society and the rise of individualism. Deepening
inequality and the decline of social democracy and progressiveness are
scarring our societies and crowding out hope for the future. Populism
offers the past in a new garb.
The events. Brexit 2016, the Scottish referendum 2014, the us
presidential election and the migrant crisis in the eu. Trump 2016,
Macron/Le Pen 2017, Wilders 2017 and the 2015 and 2017 uk general
elections and the 2017 constitutional referendum in Turkey.
The causes. People falling behind, being excluded, feeling that no one
is listening; the breakdown of traditional loyalties and allegiances; the
entitlements of elites; and mainstream parties taking people for granted;
erosion of respect resulting in a backlash from the ‘just about managing’.
The emotions. Especially in England, a sense of frustration, anxiety, loss
of control and influence, nostalgia, longing for past conditions (real or
imaginary) the lure and the loss of greatness, a sense of not belonging
in a changing nation, fewer landmarks directions and signposts, fear of
the unknown, heightened social anxieties, real material deprivation for
many (both in or out of work). One grievance runs into another, anger
and grudge become more combustible and people are receptive to
emergent ‘heroes’ who appear empathetic, offering hope and a direction
in which to channel grievances and blame as an outlet for their anger.
Trump and Brexit exhibit all of these. The idea of the ‘political fan’ is
emerging where ‘we will support you evermore’ becomes a powerful
mantra from the tribal world of football.
The reactions. Anger towards establishment elites and experts with
hostility to traditional parties in some quarters, identity and nationality
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