Number of words:
1,000 words (10% margin)
Learning aims:
Summarising a conceptual debate on an essentially contested concept, using multiple academic perspectives and sources. Choosing and connecting a relevant empirical case to illustrate the debate and its perspectives. Writing a short academic paper in which an academic writing style, a clear basic structure and correct references are present.
Instruction:
What is populism? This question has been the subject of fundamental conceptual discussions for decades, some of which is touched upon in IPOL week 9 and 10 and in the IPOL literature (Ch. 2 Heywood). Populism is sometimes used to describe a tradition of political thought, but it is also used to describe certain political movements. Moreover, populism often suggests a qualification, for example in terms of posing a threat to democracy. It seems that ‘populism’ is what we deem an ‘essentially contested concept’ and therefore bears a careful exploration before using it. In this assignment, you are to summarise the conceptual debate on this ‘what is-question’ (cf. Mair 2008, as read for session 2). What are the different views on the concept? How exactly do they differ: what do they disagree on? Explain the debate by means of one or multiple relevant self-chosen empirical examples that illustrate the differences between the conceptual positions you have discussed. Include the following elements in your assignment:
Summarise the existing conceptual debate on the question ‘what is populism?’, using multiple academic sources. Discuss the different possible answers that are out there, and try to explain how these answers relate to one another.
Choose one or more examples to illustrate the debate and its perspectives.
Take position in the debate: which perspective has your preference, or would you like to propose a synthesis of these perspectives? Phrase a thesis on the question ‘what is populism?’.
Make sure your assignment meets the basic requirements in terms of layout, style, structure, and referencing.
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