In recent years we have seen an ugly form of populism emerge and gather force, a leadership based on rhetorical appeals to popular fantasies, untruths and prejudices. Putin, Duterte, Le Pen, Brexit, Italy’s Five Star Movement and, of course, Donald Trump: populism seems contagious in its spread across the world.
After years of revolving door leadership, a historically fractious parliament and an electorate increasingly fed up with a lack of meaningful change, is Australia at risk of catching the bug?
At this event, a panel of experts analysed the populist epidemic and guaged the temperature of Australia’s current political climate.
Host:
- Professor Annamarie Jagose, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney
Speakers:
- Associate Professor Anika Gauja, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney
- Dr David Smith, Senior Lecturer, American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre
- Lane Sainty, Reporter, Buzzfeed
Associate Professor David Smith
Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre (jointly appointed with the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney)
David Smith is jointly appointed between the US Studies Centre and the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney. His research examines political relations between states and minorities, with a focus on religion in the US. His book Religious Persecution and Political Order in the United States was published by Cambridge University Press in 2015.
