"[A] brilliant vivisection of the elusive but powerful beast of populism." Michael Kazin, Prof. History, Georgetown Univ.

At this juncture, we must ask ourselves: Is populism a threat to democratic institutions or a potential revitalization of the democratic process? Are we witnessing a reaction to the failures of liberal democracy, or is populism an inherent aspect of any political mobilization that claims to represent the will of `the people'?

Dramatized around Richard Wagner's renowned opera Rienzi, der letzte der Tribunen, The Specter of Populism explores these questions through interviews with academics, philosophers and theorists including Jodi Dean, Faisal Devji, Oliver Marchart, William Mazzarella, Chantal Mouffe, Kolja Möller, and Jan-Werner Müller. These experts from the fields of Political Science, Philosophy, Anthropology and History shed light on the complex theories of populist politics and their relevance to our current political landscape.

The Specter or Populism is the second in a planned trilogy of films, produced by Jürgen Schaflechner and Tim van den Hoff and titled CINEMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF THEORY, devoted to current issues in political theory. The first film in the series was The Toxic Reigns of Resentment.



Grade Level: College, Adults
US Release Date: 2025     Copyright Date: 2024
DVD ISBN: 1-961192-54-3

Reviews "The Specter of Populism, indeed! For as this film abundantly illustrates, populism is as much chimerical - a phantom that haunts contemporary politics worldwide - as it is terrifyingly real. Or as least as real as anything that draws the kind of recognition and insightful, measured commentary displayed here. This is a film that is both instructive and distressing. It shatters all simple formulas and facile explanations of this puzzling phenomenon, prompting us to rethink some of our cherished assumptions." Robert A. Schneider, Professor Emeritus of History, Indiana University Bloomington, Author, The Return of Resentment: The Rise and Decline and Rise Again of a Political Emotion "Populism is a specter ready to cast its shadow over democracy, of which it is an integral part. The images in this film - in black and white and with a small red cloth - convey a sense of fear rather than joy. They perfectly capture the character of populism." Nadia Urbinati, Professor of Political Theory, Columbia University, Author, Me the People: How Populism Transforms Democracy "The Specter of Populism features interviews with leading voices on populism's past, present and future. The interviews feature some points of consensus, but, and perhaps most useful, are the many places where the scholars disagree and show the dizzying complexity and dynamism of populism as both an academic object of analysis and as a real world political phenomenon. This useful teaching resource can be used in conjunction with scholarly writing, as small starting points for discussion and analysis, or as entry into a larger debate on populism in the West." Justin Patch, Associate Professor of Music, Vassar College, Author, The Art of Populism in US Politics: Pro-Trump DIY Popular Culture "The Specter of Populism offers new insights from leading international experts into different theoretical approaches to defining and explaining the many dimensions of left-wing and right-wing populism. The thought-provoking diversity of voices will enhance many debates about this salient phenomenon. A must-see for scholars and post-graduate students in the Social Sciences." Ruth Wodak, Emeritus Professor in Discourse Studies, Lancaster University, Author, The Politics of Fear: The Shameless Normalization of Far-Right Discourse "Populisms left and right have challenged the substance of constitutional democracy across the world, a comprehensive challenge not seen since the violent movements of the 1970s. At issue is more than a model of governance; at issue are fundamental questions about democracy itself. This gripping documentary lets leading political thinkers speak freely about populism and democracy, illuminating the unnerving, uncertain fault lines of our times. I will certainly use it in my communication-intensive course on authoritarian constitutionalism and democratic dictatorships." Peter Caldwell, Professor of History, Rice University, Author, Democracy, Capitalism, and the Welfare State: Debating Social Order in Postwar West Germany "This documentary provides an interdisciplinary background on populism. Experts share their perspectives on right and left-wing populism's complex relationship with democracy, capitalism, and emotions. I recommend it for those who are concerned but also excited about the potential of populism in today's polarized societies." Orcun Selcuk, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of the International Studies, Luther College, Author, The Authoritarian Divide: Populism, Propaganda, and Polarization