Yes to Technological Progress, but No to Populism: A Proactive Proposal

Abstract

The centre-right is a values-based political family which is currently facing two interrelated challenges, both of which result from the pressures on representative democracies in the twenty-first century and the attacks on established political procedures. First, the centre-right needs a credible and long-term response to the politics of simplification as an answer to the complexity of populist-demagogic forces. In many European countries, populist parties have succeeded in national elections. Second, it has to respond to a new field of politics given the label net politics, an online representation of political processes that uses the new technologies. The current rise of populism may be no more than a temporary aberration on the road to normal European party politics. Parties have to adapt while keeping up stability, credibility and loyalty among the electorate. The centre-right, with its values-based approach, is in a good position and can be optimistic about further challenges.