What can populism mean for democracy?

The challenges populism poses to democracy is the topic for an open symposium for researchers from all over Sweden,14-15 November at the University of Gävle.

Ann-Cathrine Jungar

“There is always a seed of populism in all forms of democracy,” says Ann-Cathrine Jungar, reader in Political Science at Södertörn University, one of the speakers at the symposium.

Populist parties take advantage of the gap between how democracy actually works and democracy as an idea about people governing themselves, according to Ann-Cathrine Jungar. On Friday 15 November, she will give a talk called “Populismen: En tyst motrevolution?” (“Populism: a silent counterrevolution?”)

“I usually say that populists pose good questions. They are no longer one-issue parties. However, they tend to have a single explanation to all of society’s problems.”

Iulian Cananau

Iulian Cananau, senior lecturer in English at the University of Gävle, is one of the people behind the symposium. He underlines that the humanities have a reponsibility to attempt to understand populism.

“Critical thinking, thoroughness and in-depth studies can help us become a counter force,” Iulian Cananau explains.

Populism, Democracy and the Humanities

A symposium organised by researchers at the Department of Humanities at the University of Gävle, 14-15 November.

Symposium organisers: Iulian Cananau, Karin Lövgren, Ingrid Björk, Sara Perttunen Sundberg and Peder Thalén.

Program