The Populist Explosion

How the Great Recession Transformed American and European Politics

By: John B. Judis

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

What's happening in global politics? As if overnight, many Democrats revolted and passionately backed a socialist named Bernie Sanders; the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union; the vituperative billionaire Donald Trump became the presidential nominee of the Republican party; and a slew of rebellious parties continued to win elections in Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Austria, and Greece.

John B. Judis, one of America's most respected political analysts, tells us why we need to learn about the populist movement that began in the United States in the 1890s, the politics of which have recurred on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. Populism, on both the right and the left, champions the people against an establishment, based on issues - globalization, free trade, immigration - on which there has been a strong elite consensus, but also a strong mass discontent that is now breaking out into the open.

The Populist Explosion is essential listening for our times as we grapple to understand the political forces at work here and in Europe.

©2016 John B. Judis (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Far and away the most incisive examination of the central development in contemporary politics: the rise of populism on both the right and the left. Superb." (Thomas Edsall, New York Times columnist)

Needs an update

This book, and the reader, would benefit greatly from an update based upon the last 4 years.

Best at the end

While the history of populism in the western world was interesting, it was the final chapter that really made this book worthwhile. As someone skeptical of populism, the book has made me more sympathetic to supporters of populist candidates.

Perspective

This book helped me process the recent US election by putting it into a larger perspective of what is happening politically around the world.

Listing of facts, history and conclusions...NOTHING MORE!!

It provides brief details on events and movements but truly is like listening to someone read a list of facts.

Not horrible in that I did learn something but far from what it could be.

Relevant and interesting but could be better

Relevant and interesting but a bit cursory and lacks a strong point of view. Would have liked more date and explanation of why neoliberalism have become the dominant orthodoxy.

Not Thorough

Could have been more thorough. Could have reviewed other countries in Europe and North America and why populism exist or does not in those countries to build a hypothesis of why populism exists now. Went in depth on some leaders like Marie Le Pen but not others? Why? No real causal connections. Good long-form journalism with plausible conclusions but poor book writing. It's just a bunch of essays in the countries covered ... missing at least half the population of Europe. There is no underlying definition of Populism, why is appears or does not, what comes next. The book is just a long-form news article.

Very informative to say the least 

This Audible original is without a doubt, the best political engineered piece of literature I have ever read. The reason I say that is because it tells the truth about modern politics and society today.

Although, it is outdated by two election cycles. it is still relevant to the political taking time bomb of today. That in itself is without a doubt interesting whether you are interested in politics or not.

Therefore, for anybody who is interested in going into politics and government; I would deeply encourage that they listen or read this piece of informative literature, and then consider their options.

I myself have muddled over the idea in my head, going into politics/government because I in my own opinion, believe that I can contribute to the United States government, and make a difference.

Therefore, I would try my very best not to add to the problem, but come up with a solution for modern Day politics. Otherwise, today’s political situation I fear is like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

My biggest fear for modern day politics is that one day the turmoil temperature of American politics boil over, and it will be too late for us as Americans to fix anything.

Long story short, I strongly encourage anybody to read this book. It is a great read for anybody going into politics, or anybody who is interested in reading about our political climate of today.

Probably a bit to dry for most

What did you love best about The Populist Explosion?

This is certainly an apt book given the current political disaster we live in. Very concise, well laid out, VERY complete. However, it was so fact laden without any story for respite or time to process what was being said, that I found myself tuning out.

I appreciate someone who knows what they are talking about--and it's clear that this guy does, but this book was missing that little something that would make it really good.

Helpful but short on overarching theory

While it isn’t an academic book, Judis’s helpful book still deserves more theoretical grounding. Why is right-wing populism triadic, as the author claims, while the leftist version is dyadic? What conditions in general but laid out specifically spur the current “explosion”? Is this period not only a descendant of earlier populist ideas but also of broad conditions that can be theorized? The author spends six of the eight chapters on largely describing populist movements while the final chapter is a typical conclusion. But why does he not continue to explore different forms of populism and a larger theory of appearance and impact as he starts to do only in chapter 1?

Exactly what I needed!

If you even think you might want to know more about this issue, this book is a fantastic listen. The author deals substantially with the subject, while keeping good focus on the modern rise of populism. The author is also quite fair and balanced in approach and rational. The tone is academic and professional, with little to no pundit commentary. It's intended to analyze, not cheerlead one side over another.