Roger Eatwell & Matthew Goodwin: National Populism

The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy

Pelican, 2018   Amazon.co.uk

Publisher’s Description:

A crucial new guide to one of the most urgent political phenomena of our time: the rise of national populism

Across the West, there is a rising tide of people who feel excluded, alienated from mainstream politics, and increasingly hostile towards minorities, immigrants and neo-liberal economics. Many of these voters are turning to national populist movements, which have begun to change the face of Western liberal democracy, from the United States to France, Austria to the UK.

This radical turn, we are told, is a last howl of rage from an aging electorate on the verge of extinction. Their leaders are fascistic and their politics anti-democratic; their existence a side-show to liberal democracy. But this version of events, as Roger Eatwell and Matthew Goodwin show, could not be further from the truth.

Written by two of the foremost experts on fascism and the rise of national populism, this lucid and deeply-researched book is a vital guide to our transformed political landscape. Challenging conventional wisdoms, Eatwell and Goodwin make a compelling case for serious, respectful engagement with the supporters and ideas of national populism – not least because it is a tide that won’t be stemmed anytime soon.

Review Quotes:

“Compelling…Eatwell and Goodwin do a good job of demolishing lazy stereotypes about Trump and Brexit supporters being almost exclusively white and old…Measured and insightful.”  Sunday Telegraph

“A fascinating new study…the authors analyse the long-term demographic and socioeconomic trends shaping our age of upheaval. The attraction of this book lies in its cool, dispassionate tone. The authors intend to explain and inform rather than polemicise”  Jason Cowley, The Sunday Times

“Intelligent, counterintuitive…[ranging] far beyond Brexit and Britain…they put a parochial debate in a much bigger context”  Economist

“Valuable…A finely organised, lucid explanation of the elements presently constituting the most dynamic political movements in Europe and the US.”  John Lloyd, Financial Times)

“A useful corrective…it demolishes the myth that young people aren’t attracted to the populist right.”  Sarah Baxter, The Sunday Times

“A reality check to any clinging to the hope that populism is a passing political squall…Goodwin is one of the few academics to be vindicated by the political trends of the past few years. With a forensic grasp of the detail, Eatwell and Goodwin show how commentators have succumbed to ‘stereotypes that correspond with their outlook’ rather than evidence-based conclusions.”  Asa Bennett, Telegraph

“Convincing, powerful and very definitely worth a read.”  Robert Colvile, Director of CPS Think Tank

“An important and stimulating book…well written, well argued, highly accessible to the lay reader, and mercifully free of political science jargon…it leaves room for optimism for the future of our country.”  Roger Liddle, Progress

“An invaluable guide to the new politics of revolt…Eatwell and Goodwin draw attention to the historic problem that liberalism has faced in accepting democracy. They give us the theoretical framework to understand national populism’s rise…Compelling.”  Jon Holbrook, Spiked

“Informative and often compelling, providing clarity around a number of key debates within political science and political theory…Usefully, they provide copious evidence that rightwing populism has been a long time in the making.”  Will Davies, Guardian

About the Authors:

Roger Eatwell is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Bath. He has published widely on fascism and populism, including Fascism: a History.

Matthew J. Goodwin is Professor of Politics at the University of Kent and a Senior Visiting Fellow at Chatham House. He has published four books, including Paddy Power Political Book of the Year 2015 (for Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain). He writes regularly for The Times, Financial Times and New York Times, and has worked with more than 200 organisations on issues relating to European politics. He lives in London.