DemCP colloquium - FELIX BREUNING (Universität Lüneburg): "Authoritarianism in Contemporary Theories of Populism: A Critique"

Abstract

Within the plethora of investigations into the recent and not so recent rise of populist radical right parties and movements, it remains highly controversial why populism today mostly takes an authoritarian form.

In my talk, I will show how some of the predominant theoretical approaches fail to grasp precisely how authoritarianism translates actual societal pressure and disruptions into hostile and irrational populist talking points and policies.

I will then try to sketch a critical concept of authoritarianism, which might provide a better understanding of this translation. Therefore, I will draw on thoughts developed by the Frankfurt School as well as within Stuart Halls Neo-Marxism.

About the speaker

Felix Breuning currently holds a scholarship at the Leuphana University Lüneburg. In his PhD project, he is developing a critical assessment of contemporary theoretical approaches to populism. Besides, he publishes on post-Marxist theories as well as contemporary antisemitism and hostility towards Muslims.

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