The ‘Populist’ Right Challenge to Neoliberalism: Social Policy between a Rock and a Hard Place

Abstract

This article looks at the rise of right populist politics in both developed and developing countries, and its implications for social policy. The author locates the cause for the right populist surge in the legacies of neoliberalism, paying particular attention to the way neoliberal reforms have affected popular attitudes towards politics. The commodification of politics and social services has stoked mass cynicism towards reigning neoliberal elites, creating receptive audiences for populist slogans to ‘drain the swamp’ at the heart of governments. More controversially, the author argues that popular resentments toward neoliberal social policies based on the recognition of the rights of women, minorities, migrants and the poor have made communities susceptible to the racist and misogynist messages of the right populists. Through case studies looking at the United States, Brazil and the Philippines the author argues that the biggest impact of right populists on social policies can be found in their discourses and authoritarian practices of social exclusion.

Political discourse, denialism and leadership failure in Brazil’s response to COVID-19

“…Populist are leaders who appeal directly to their constituencies, without formal political intermediation (e.g. parties) and where expedient, without basing their policies or programmes in scientific or expert knowledge (Putzel, 2020). They claim to speak for ordinary citizens rather than 'elites' and emphasise family values and individual and national autonomy in support of reduced government regulation.…”

Quarantining activism: COVID-19, frontline defenders and intensifying extractivism in the Philippines

“…While the political economy of state repression was perhaps less overt, NGOs and defenders still contended with the reproduction of coercive elite politics through subnational political dynasties, local 'political entrepreneurs', and associated militia and assassins enabling extractivism (Fegan, 2002;McCoy, 2002). After Noynoy's six-year term ended, Duterte's 2016 campaign platform of peace and order, resource redistribution and by-passing the 'Manila elite' successfully tapped growing public discontent about the country's weakening welfare state, fraying infrastructure, and rising criminality following decades of neoliberalism (Putzel, 2020;Theriault, 2020). Failing to transcend neoliberalism, Duterte pushed for a 'deregulated' form of authoritarian developmentalism (Jayasuriya, 2020;Ramos, 2021) and associated extra-legal practices that would 'get the job done' for 'the people' (Arsel et al, 2021); that is, the criminalization and eradication of critical media, drug users, leftist NGOs and activists (Putzel, 2020).…”

“…After Noynoy's six-year term ended, Duterte's 2016 campaign platform of peace and order, resource redistribution and by-passing the 'Manila elite' successfully tapped growing public discontent about the country's weakening welfare state, fraying infrastructure, and rising criminality following decades of neoliberalism (Putzel, 2020;Theriault, 2020). Failing to transcend neoliberalism, Duterte pushed for a 'deregulated' form of authoritarian developmentalism (Jayasuriya, 2020;Ramos, 2021) and associated extra-legal practices that would 'get the job done' for 'the people' (Arsel et al, 2021); that is, the criminalization and eradication of critical media, drug users, leftist NGOs and activists (Putzel, 2020). Over time, Duterte's performative violence has further emboldened state, provincial and non-state actors to harass and kill defenders with impunity while resisting the expansion of Chinese-financed infrastructure (e.g., the Kaliwa dam), illegal timber harvesting, palm oil plantations, and mining into remote frontier areas (McCoy, 2017a;McCoy, 2017b).…”

Does democracy protect? The United Kingdom, the United States, and Covid‐19

“…One last way in which neoliberalism created vulnerability to Covid‐19 should be mentioned. Stepping back, we need to consider how neoliberalism contributed strongly to the emergence of right‐wing populism (and its dangerous delusions) in the first place, not least through disillusionment with political elites as inequality escalated (see, notably, Putzel, 2020).…”