We are the People

The rise of the AfD in Germany
Erscheinungsjahr 2020
ISBN: 978-1-912208-92-0
Verlag: Haus Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 98 Seiten, Format (B × H): 113 mm x 177 mm, Gewicht: 92 g

Reihe: Haus Curiosities

A populist wave has swept across western countries in recent years, exposing the vulnerabilities of liberal democracy and driving the political agenda to the right. Germany is no exception. In 2017, the far-right populist party the Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the third-largest party in the Bundestag, positioning itself against the ‘corrupt liberal elite’ as the voice of the people.

‘We Are the People’ examines the sudden growth and radicalisation of the AfD, from its eurosceptic beginnings in 2013 to its increasing extremism. Bochum discusses the distinct character of populism in Germany and argues that the AfD offers no real alternative.

Worldwide political and economic insecurity makes it impossible to write the AfD off as a blip. Imploring us to learn from the German and UK experiences of populism, Bochum warns against the adoption of the populist agenda by mainstream political parties.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politik: Sachbuch, Politikerveröffentlichungen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Politische Parteien
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Studien zu einzelnen Ländern und Gebieten
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Ideologien Konservativismus

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements // vii

1. Introduction: The past rears its head // 1

2. A worldwide populist wave // 5

3. From eurosceptic beginnings to the birth of the radicals // 9

4. Evolution into far-right populists // 15

5. The rise of the radicals // 21

6. 'Cumulative radicalisation': The Flügel flexes its muscles // 29

7. New politics in a changing landscape // 37

8. Political fallout // 49

9. Containing the AFD: The centre can hold // 57

Glossary // 69

Notes // 71

Über Autor(innen)

PENNY BOCHUM is a political researcher and writer working in Berlin and London. She has worked for Labour MPs and the SPD Bundestagsfraktion, and she has contributed to a range of publications including Can Labour Win? The Hard Road to Power.