Dirk Niebel: “Populists play with fears of the future”

The wave of populism – why is it happening right now all over the world? What are the reasons for that?

– Many people expect quick, easy solutions to the challenges ahead and short answers to complex issues. This certainly has to do with social media, which traps many people in an individual information bubble.

What are the main topics of populists, which helps them to win hearts and minds of voters? Maybe there are some examples from Germany?

– Many populists work with the argument that they are not established, that is to say, they can pronounce what others would supposedly not dare to do. Especially in Germany it is remarkable that the right-wing populists ’speeches (like the left-wing populists’ speeches) are stoking fears among the people who they are supposed to be the only ones who can defeat them. The right-wing populists score with fear of immigration, especially in areas where there is almost no immigration. Here, ignorance is often one of the reasons for their success.

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How to stimulate people to think more, to analyze the promises of politicians and to divide truth from populist rhetoric?

– Here only the fact check helps. Citizens who do not care or want to worry about the plausibility of statements, or who do not consult other sources, will always be vulnerable to fake news.

What could be some kind of vaccination against populism? How to prevent it? As I understand it – good economic situation is not an answer (if we look at Germany, USA or France).

– A currently good economic situation is not a sufficient reason to prevent populism. Populists play with fears of the future, which means that you have to work on perspectives for the future so that people don't have to worry about losing something they have worked hard to achieve in the future. Education and training are the core prerequisites for preventing populism.

On your opinion, who can do more damage to a country – an old, experienced, but sometimes corrupted politicians or "new faces", without previous political experience, but with lack of competence in government and diplomacy? (If you can – please make your evaluation of current Ukrainian political situation)

– Corruption is the biggest barrier to development in the world. It is therefore necessary to combat them wherever possible. Experience in political action also does not justify corrupting structures. Inexperienced policymakers become and must make mistakes from which they learn. It is wise if they can be supported by unencumbered and experienced consultants from outside, if necessary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj has brilliantly filled the role of president as an actor. As the elected President of Ukraine, he does not play the role of his life, but is best placed to fulfill his duties by the burden of responsibility and by the fact that the people bear and support him in the recent parliamentary elections.

What can we expect after the populism? What would be the next stage in that evolution?

– If populists are not disenchanted because they do not solve problems, only because they talk them out, this inevitably leads to a loss of freedom and a restriction of democracy.