National Populism as Ideology and Method

The common desire of all initiators of the European integration project was to resolve disputes on the continent in the future not through world wars, but through negotiations. Despite all criticism of the deficient democratic institutions at the Community level, the result is impressive. It serves as a model for the peaceful coexistence of different countries with non-identical cultures. An overarching “European identity” has only emerged in rudiments, and right-wing populists reject any restriction of national sovereignty and identity anyway. The following discusses the causes of populism, the tension between populism and democracy, and the connection with European identity.