‘’50 per cent of people can be classified as traditional or fearful of globalization, while 50 per cent are characterized by progressive values and a belief that globalization constitutes an opportunity’’ (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
It’s clear to all that the political landscape across Europe is undergoing a transformation. There is a rise in support for populism and democratic values are coming under attack. What has led to the rise of these sentiments and ultimately the rise of Euroscepticism? To simplify, we can say one major change has been globalization.
We can break it down to two perspectives: one looks at the contrast between progressive and tradition values while the other looks at the negatives associated with globalization.
As highlighted by the 2016 research paper by eupinions: the argument surrounding values is based on the belief that liberal rights like gender equality, ethnic diversity and gay rights etc. are forwarded against the will of the people. This leads to the rise of populist parties. The second argument against globalization suggests that it leads harder economic situations for states due to the higher number of people coming to a particular country. This encourages a rise of nationalism and a desire for less refugees and immigrants.
The research states that ‘’the lower the level of education, the lower the income, and the older the people are, the more likely they are to see globalization as a threat’’. Therefore, a direct assumption here is that those who fall under these categories are more likely to support populist parties. This is backed up with the fact that 78% of those who support the right-wing parties Alternative Fur Deutschland (AFD) and 76% of supporters of the French party Front National (FN) fear globalization. (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
Some clear examples of the change in politics are very obviously BREXIT and the election of Donald Trump to the American Presidency. Both campaigns focused on appealing to the ‘ordinary citizen’ who feels ‘left behind’ by the inevitable globalization. Capitalizing on fears has become a norm for politics these days.
What we can establish here is that despite gay rights or gender equality being classed as liberal it seems that this is not the main issue for the traditionalists. What we can say is that migrations IS the key point. Migration and globalization go hand in hand and are therefore the contentious point in the argument put forward by populists.
While many can see globalization as opportunity it seems that many only accept it in particular circumstances. There are many contradictory examples we can highlight here like the farmers in the UK that voted to leave the EU but now do not have enough employees for their farms because most of them come from European countries. They hold traditional values and yet their livelihood depends on the modern workings of Europe and the free flow of workers.
Highlighted in the study was the clear corroboration globalization and the levels of anti-EU sentiment. 55% of those who fear globalization have no contact with foreigners and 54% feel alienated. (de Vries and Hoffmann, 2016, p.23). This is coupled with a general skeptical attitude towards politics and the EU in general. Is this deriving from a fear of the unknown?
In tackling the issues at hand, it seems clear that education will always be at the forefront. A change in policy and attitude will not go far without educating citizens. Encouraging media literacy and increasing the level of education of citizens one of the only sure ways to tackle populist tactics that have sprouted through the media. As highlighted earlier, the same people who fear globalization are Eurosceptic and support populism. They are also potentially the most vulnerable to changes that occur as a result of these issues. Which can realistically explain why they would be against it.
What should also be pointed out here is that it is not just far-right politics that fear globalization, but it is to a lesser degree. This could be put down to different values and attitudes. They also more than likely have contact with foreign people!
References:
De Vris & Hoffmann, 2016 ‘’Fear not Values. Public opinion and the populist vote in Europe’’. Found at: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/user_upload/EZ_eupinions_Fear_Study_2016_ENG.pdf)
Related Posts
‘’50 per cent of people can be classified as traditional or fearful of globalization, while 50 per cent are characterized by progressive values and a belief that globalization constitutes an opportunity’’ (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
It’s clear to all that the political landscape across Europe is undergoing a transformation. There is a rise in support for populism and democratic values are coming under attack. What has led to the rise of these sentiments and ultimately the rise of Euroscepticism? To simplify, we can say one major change has been globalization.
We can break it down to two perspectives: one looks at the contrast between progressive and tradition values while the other looks at the negatives associated with globalization.
As highlighted by the 2016 research paper by eupinions: the argument surrounding values is based on the belief that liberal rights like gender equality, ethnic diversity and gay rights etc. are forwarded against the will of the people. This leads to the rise of populist parties. The second argument against globalization suggests that it leads harder economic situations for states due to the higher number of people coming to a particular country. This encourages a rise of nationalism and a desire for less refugees and immigrants.
The research states that ‘’the lower the level of education, the lower the income, and the older the people are, the more likely they are to see globalization as a threat’’. Therefore, a direct assumption here is that those who fall under these categories are more likely to support populist parties. This is backed up with the fact that 78% of those who support the right-wing parties Alternative Fur Deutschland (AFD) and 76% of supporters of the French party Front National (FN) fear globalization. (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
Some clear examples of the change in politics are very obviously BREXIT and the election of Donald Trump to the American Presidency. Both campaigns focused on appealing to the ‘ordinary citizen’ who feels ‘left behind’ by the inevitable globalization. Capitalizing on fears has become a norm for politics these days.
What we can establish here is that despite gay rights or gender equality being classed as liberal it seems that this is not the main issue for the traditionalists. What we can say is that migrations IS the key point. Migration and globalization go hand in hand and are therefore the contentious point in the argument put forward by populists.
While many can see globalization as opportunity it seems that many only accept it in particular circumstances. There are many contradictory examples we can highlight here like the farmers in the UK that voted to leave the EU but now do not have enough employees for their farms because most of them come from European countries. They hold traditional values and yet their livelihood depends on the modern workings of Europe and the free flow of workers.
Highlighted in the study was the clear corroboration globalization and the levels of anti-EU sentiment. 55% of those who fear globalization have no contact with foreigners and 54% feel alienated. (de Vries and Hoffmann, 2016, p.23). This is coupled with a general skeptical attitude towards politics and the EU in general. Is this deriving from a fear of the unknown?
In tackling the issues at hand, it seems clear that education will always be at the forefront. A change in policy and attitude will not go far without educating citizens. Encouraging media literacy and increasing the level of education of citizens one of the only sure ways to tackle populist tactics that have sprouted through the media. As highlighted earlier, the same people who fear globalization are Eurosceptic and support populism. They are also potentially the most vulnerable to changes that occur as a result of these issues. Which can realistically explain why they would be against it.
What should also be pointed out here is that it is not just far-right politics that fear globalization, but it is to a lesser degree. This could be put down to different values and attitudes. They also more than likely have contact with foreign people!
References:
De Vris & Hoffmann, 2016 ‘’Fear not Values. Public opinion and the populist vote in Europe’’. Found at: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/user_upload/EZ_eupinions_Fear_Study_2016_ENG.pdf)
Related Posts
‘’50 per cent of people can be classified as traditional or fearful of globalization, while 50 per cent are characterized by progressive values and a belief that globalization constitutes an opportunity’’ (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
It’s clear to all that the political landscape across Europe is undergoing a transformation. There is a rise in support for populism and democratic values are coming under attack. What has led to the rise of these sentiments and ultimately the rise of Euroscepticism? To simplify, we can say one major change has been globalization.
We can break it down to two perspectives: one looks at the contrast between progressive and tradition values while the other looks at the negatives associated with globalization.
As highlighted by the 2016 research paper by eupinions: the argument surrounding values is based on the belief that liberal rights like gender equality, ethnic diversity and gay rights etc. are forwarded against the will of the people. This leads to the rise of populist parties. The second argument against globalization suggests that it leads harder economic situations for states due to the higher number of people coming to a particular country. This encourages a rise of nationalism and a desire for less refugees and immigrants.
The research states that ‘’the lower the level of education, the lower the income, and the older the people are, the more likely they are to see globalization as a threat’’. Therefore, a direct assumption here is that those who fall under these categories are more likely to support populist parties. This is backed up with the fact that 78% of those who support the right-wing parties Alternative Fur Deutschland (AFD) and 76% of supporters of the French party Front National (FN) fear globalization. (de Vries & Hoffmann, 2016)
Some clear examples of the change in politics are very obviously BREXIT and the election of Donald Trump to the American Presidency. Both campaigns focused on appealing to the ‘ordinary citizen’ who feels ‘left behind’ by the inevitable globalization. Capitalizing on fears has become a norm for politics these days.
What we can establish here is that despite gay rights or gender equality being classed as liberal it seems that this is not the main issue for the traditionalists. What we can say is that migrations IS the key point. Migration and globalization go hand in hand and are therefore the contentious point in the argument put forward by populists.
While many can see globalization as opportunity it seems that many only accept it in particular circumstances. There are many contradictory examples we can highlight here like the farmers in the UK that voted to leave the EU but now do not have enough employees for their farms because most of them come from European countries. They hold traditional values and yet their livelihood depends on the modern workings of Europe and the free flow of workers.
Highlighted in the study was the clear corroboration globalization and the levels of anti-EU sentiment. 55% of those who fear globalization have no contact with foreigners and 54% feel alienated. (de Vries and Hoffmann, 2016, p.23). This is coupled with a general skeptical attitude towards politics and the EU in general. Is this deriving from a fear of the unknown?
In tackling the issues at hand, it seems clear that education will always be at the forefront. A change in policy and attitude will not go far without educating citizens. Encouraging media literacy and increasing the level of education of citizens one of the only sure ways to tackle populist tactics that have sprouted through the media. As highlighted earlier, the same people who fear globalization are Eurosceptic and support populism. They are also potentially the most vulnerable to changes that occur as a result of these issues. Which can realistically explain why they would be against it.
What should also be pointed out here is that it is not just far-right politics that fear globalization, but it is to a lesser degree. This could be put down to different values and attitudes. They also more than likely have contact with foreign people!
References:
De Vris & Hoffmann, 2016 ‘’Fear not Values. Public opinion and the populist vote in Europe’’. Found at: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/user_upload/EZ_eupinions_Fear_Study_2016_ENG.pdf)
