WHO ARE "THE PEOPLE"? Populism, Power and the Future of Democracy

Across the globe, right-wing populist are leading opinion polls and winning elections with the promise to fight for the interests and concerns of the people, which the political elite has supposedly neglected - but who are "the people"? What do they stand for, what are they against, and who gets to decide?

The people populists claim to represent today usually have a particular ethnicity, religion or identity. Populist politics places the people in opposition to those who do not share these characteristics and thus do not deserve the same rights and protections.

But do ordinary citizens actually correspond to the image conjured up by populist politicians? What holds the people together as a political community, and what sparks collective change? How can we imagine and create democratic collectives that defy the populist idea of the people?

This special event collaboration between Brighthink and Sussex University brings together five political philosophers to unpack and challenge the populist idea of “the people”, and to explore how democracy might be reclaimed.

This event takes place downstairs in the Tusk Room, The Walrus Pub, Brighton. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access at this venue.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Walrus, 10 Ship Street, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App