Samara research director discusses new study on populism in Canadian politics

Summary

The discussion centers on the state of populism in Canada, informed by a report from the Samaras Center for Democracy. Research director Michael Morton explains that, while populism is often viewed negatively, some of its aspects can be healthy for democracy. A recent survey shows that many Canadians feel disconnected from the government, with 60% believing their opinions are disregarded. Notably, politicians are increasingly using populist language, yet the audience for such rhetoric may be shrinking, revealing a disconnect between political discourse and public sentiment.

Takeaways

• 📊 Populism in Canada is not on the rise, contrary to trends seen in other countries, including the U.S.
• 🗣️ Populism is defined as a worldview that divides society into elites and ordinary people, emphasizing the latter's legitimacy.
• 🤔 Some degree of populism can be healthy for democracy, as it encourages vigilance against elites.
• 📉 Despite a high level of discontent with government, public sentiment shows improvement, with only 60% feeling ignored compared to 85% in the 1990s.
• 🔗 About 63% of Canadians believe elected officials quickly lose connection with voters, though this has decreased from 75% in the past.
• ⚖️ Roughly 40% of Canadians think majority will should outweigh minority rights, a viewpoint often associated with populism.
• 👥 Around 40% of Canadians believe ordinary citizens would perform better in decision-making than elected officials.
• 📈 The use of populist rhetoric by politicians is increasing, with MPs referencing 'elites' significantly more than in previous sessions.
• 🔍 There is a noted disconnect between the elite political discourse and the sentiments of ordinary citizens regarding populism.
• 🔄 While populist language is growing in politics, the audience for such messages appears to be shrinking.

Q & A

What does the term 'populism' mean in the context of Canadian politics?

Populism refers to a political approach that divides society into two groups: the elites, who have political and economic power, and the 'real people' or ordinary citizens. It often emphasizes the legitimacy of the people's views and can be used to critique or undermine democratic institutions.

According to the Samaras Center for Democracy, is populism on the rise in Canada?

No, the report suggests that populism is not on the rise in Canada. However, it warns that some political leaders may be trying to create a populist narrative to serve their own interests.

What were the key findings of the survey conducted by the Samaras Center regarding Canadians' connection to government?

The survey found that 60% of Canadians feel the government does not care about their opinions, but this number has decreased from 85% in the mid-90s, indicating a historical decline in discontent.

How do Canadians feel about their elected representatives and their connection to voters?

About 63% of Canadians believe that MPs lose their connection to voters quickly, but this figure has decreased from three-quarters of Canadians in the 1990s.

What percentage of Canadians believes that the will of the majority should prevail over minority rights?

Approximately 40% of Canadians think the will of the majority should take precedence over the rights of minorities, which is associated with populist views.

What is the public's perception of the ability of ordinary citizens compared to elected officials in decision-making?

40% of Canadians believe that ordinary citizens would do a better job than elected officials in decision-making, indicating a significant level of skepticism towards politicians.

How has the language of populism changed in Canadian politics according to the research?

The research indicates that politicians have increasingly used populist rhetoric, specifically referencing 'elites' in Parliament more frequently in the current parliamentary session than in previous ones.

Is there a disconnect between the use of populist rhetoric and public sentiment in Canada?

Yes, there is a noted disconnect; while populist language is becoming more common among politicians, the audience for this rhetoric may actually be shrinking, suggesting that public discontent may not be growing in tandem.

What are some historical trends regarding Canadians' feelings of disconnection from government?

Historical data shows that feelings of disconnection peaked about 25 years ago, with current sentiments showing a trend towards decreased discontent compared to the mid-90s.

Why can populism be problematic for democracy?

Populism can undermine democratic institutions as populist leaders may use the language of populism to discredit political opponents, attack the media, and consolidate their own power, which can lead to a deterioration of democratic norms.