In this seminar session, Engage invites two keynote speakers to present the results of their research on populist discourses and discourses on populism, as well as anti-establishment parties.

Populist and nationalist discourse and discourses about populism (Benjamin De Cleen)

Discourse about populism is everywhere in politics, media and academia. In this talk I want to critically reflect on the ubiquity of the concept of populism and the analytical and normative limitations of focusing political debate and analysis around populism. I will start with a precise and modest conceptualization of populism as a political logic, focused on distinguishing populism from nationalism and racism with which it is all too often confused. Secondly, I turn attention to the politics of discourses about populism, asking what the debate about populism reveals about those using the term, in politics, media and academia. In conclusion, I will argue against the development of a field of 'populism studies', shedding light on the limitations of organizing academic analysis around 'populism' and proposing that it is time for academia to move beyond its own 'populist moment'.

Location : Salle des examens (Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles - Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 43 - 2nd floor)

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