Populism is a powerful force today, but its full scope has eluded the analytical tools of both orthodox and heterodox 'populism studies.' This book provides a valuable alternative perspective. It reconstructs in detail for the first time the compares these with contemporary approaches. Modern demagogy emerges as a key under-researched feature of populism, since populist movements, whether 'left' or 'right', are highly susceptible to 'demagogic capture'.
The book also details the culture industry's populist contradictions - including its role as an incubator of modern demagogues - from the 1920s through to today's social media and 'Trumpian psychotechnics'. Featuring a previously unpublished text by Adorno on modern demagogy as an appendix, it will be of interest to everyone concerned about the rise of demagogic populism today.
Buy Critical Theory and Demagogic Populism by Paul K. Jones from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, BooksDirect.