Make Me Smart

The global rise of right-wing populism (rerun)

Jul 30, 2024

JD Vance, a prominent political figure and Trump’s VP pick, dives into the essential nature of right-wing populism and its global rise. He breaks down how economic and cultural factors fuel this movement in countries like Italy and Poland. Vance addresses the growing concerns over democracy versus authoritarianism in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of messaging in the upcoming elections. Additionally, he touches on a major healthcare cybersecurity crisis, linking it to broader issues in patient care and the economy.

31:17

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Episode guests

JD Vance

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Right-wing populism, characterized by ethno-nationalism and nostalgia, contrasts with left-wing movements focused on economic inequality and wealth redistribution.

The rise of populism globally is linked to historical events and societal fears, shaping elections and threatening established democratic values.

Deep dives

Understanding Populism

Populism is defined as a political approach that contrasts the common people against a perceived elite. It manifests on both ends of the political spectrum, where the right often vilifies political elites and the left targets economic elites such as business leaders. This duality creates confusion when the term is strictly associated with right-wing figures like Trump, as it overlooks left-wing populists who focus on economic inequality and advocating for the redistribution of wealth. Ultimately, populism seeks to reclaim political power for the populace, irrespective of its ideological origin.

Intro

2min

Understanding Right-Wing Populism

14min

Exploring the Dynamics of Populism and Public Engagement

3min

Cybersecurity Crisis in the Healthcare System

3min

Challenges in Healthcare and the Chinese Economy

11min

It’s been a few months since our deep dive on populism, but following the annoucement of JD Vance as Trump’s VP pick, the term is back in the headlines. Today, we’re revisiting that episode because it’s important to know what populism is and isn’t, and why a specific brand of populism is on the rise. We will be back next week with new episodes after a short summer break. Until then, keep sending us your thoughts, questions and comments at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

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