IYTT Citizen-Centrism VS Populism: The True Recipe for Functional Democracies

Within the International Youth Think Tank (IYTT) we anticipated this wave of populism in March 2023 when we called on the IYTT Youth Panel to reflect on populism. The panel, composed of 181 young persons (18-26 years) from 43 countries, constitutes an inspiring soundboard to probe current political and social debate among youth. The results of the IYTT panel round point to an inclination among youth to take distance from populism: 100% of the panellists say that it is important for them personally to discuss issues with people that have opinions very different from their own; 35% of them still admit they hold opinions that some might consider being populist; 89% says that the personal background of politicians is important to them; and get this, 81% believe populism is an integral, albeit troubling, part of politics.

These responses inspire some reflections on populism as a political phenomenon. Recent developments in EU and world politics prove that populism is widespread globally, and well ingrained in the fabric of democratic governance. In the words of an IYTT panellist “[Populism] is increasingly embraced by leaders (and parties) willing to gather popular support by selling electoral promise”. All parts of the political spectrum are vulnerable to this phenomenon, as another young respondent put it “[Populism] is as we conceive politics nowadays”. The respondents of the IYTT Youth Panel agree on the point that populism is at the centre of contemporary politics. While taking distance from apocalyptic discourses, we must acknowledge that populism bears the seeds of fascism and that current political debates are manifesting alarming signals of this. And this is bad news, although not a surprise.

Populism must be addressed now to prevent further damage to our democracies where hateful and violent discourses already drown dialogue. Voters of populist movements tend to adhere to the movement or party by identifying with the populist leader. The leader becomes the champion of their thoughts and lifestyle, the herald of their ideals. This idealizing process of identification annuls any possibility of critique. If democracy is based on pluralism and dialogue, how can it be practiced among people who cannot listen to each other? A daunting characteristic of populist discourse is its conception of “others” that aliments the fear in its voters towards political opposition, antagonizing it. And even though we may not see it coming, the breaking point will arrive someday, sooner than later if we do not act quickly, since, drawing from the IYTT Youth Panel, “Democracy dies without different opinions”.

Heated and hateful discourses drive a political process that is a strenuous battle, while democracy should be about joining forces and tuning in to each other’s priorities to find joint solutions. The responsibility for this collective failure lies also with mainstream political parties. As the opposition to populist parties consistently only addresses populist rhetoric, it falls short of becoming an appealing alternative. Instead, it should start “thinking less about the elephant”, and more about strong and effective communication of their political programs.

Ultimately, genuine political debate is eliminated within populist movements where the leader becomes the only legitimate leader, just like in authoritarian governments that eliminate the opposition excluding contrasting voices. We still believe that populism will fail to bring the change it rallies for. It is already failing to deliver on its promises when it is in government – at least six European countries are bearing witness to the failures of populist governance. To be fair, the problems faced by contemporary democratic societies have roots older than populist movements, thus they cannot be attributed to them. Nevertheless, populist movements are not the solution, their growth erodes democratic governance and carry the seeds of fascism. Their effects are clear in the many instances of polarization and social tensions we are witnessing in Europe and worldwide. But it is not too late.

“Active discussion to understand other’s world view helps to break from personal biases and have a more nuanced view of reality”, the IYTT youth panellists’ answers remind us of the recipe for a healthy democracy. Then, how to restore it? My answer is simple: open and genuine debate. We asked our young panellists whether it is important for them personally, to discuss issues with people that have opinions very different from their own—the answers: yes, yes, yes, all say yes! The panellists believe in pluralism and populist movements do not. Pluralism is at the core of democratic practices, echoing our panellists “Talking with people and engaging with active discussion to understand other’s world view helps to break from personal biases and have a more nuanced view of reality”.

The IYTT Youth Fellows transforms the wish for pluralism into reality by taking the streets to listen to everyday people, to understand their worries, and to voice them at the decision-makers’ table. There is a way to an open and pluralistic society, and we believe that the IYTT’s citizen-centric approach which we call Open Chair Democracy Talks, could be part of the solution, in contrast to the leader-centric model of populist movements.

“I believe it is extremely important to discuss contentious issues because this is how, as a society, we make strides and how social change comes about. However, it is also important to practice these debates with civility, even in the face of hostility. Outrage, anger, and incivility only result in political polarization which only drives more division.” – IYTT Youth Panellist.

See the full results from the IYTT Youth Panel on Populism.

Elena Vocale, Youth Fellow of the International Youth Think Tank