Martin Wolf - will Covid-19 kill off populism? | FT

The FT's chief economics commentator looks at the political implications of the global pandemic and asks whether the onward march of populist regimes might be halted by the universal challenge of confronting a global pandemic.

► Check out our Community tab for more stories or to suggest videos.

[pdrg]

Thank you for a glint of hope this morning

[fredfredrickson]

Populism is such a subversive phrase (which I'd encourage you to learn the origin of.) Just call a demagogue a demagogue and banish this sly establishment patter.

[jeanlefranc]

In the end, authoritarian and well organized states will do what it takes to a) manage COVID-19 and b) take the lion’s share of regional economic activity, at the detriment of their weaker neighbors. Life is not a game, it’s a fight for survival.

[lanista]

The question asked and the talk in the video are two different things. I opened this hoping to hear about a) socioeconomic factors that fuelled and supported populist politicians. b) how will Covid-19 affect these factors? and ergo c) will Covid-19 kill off populism? No answers to these crucial questions. Disappointing.

[dnmurphy]

The difference between Uk and Spanish and Italian death rates is not so great. Also, calling Trump & Johnson dictators is not only offensive it is grossly ignorant and wrong. This had a grain of interest in it and a load of offensive abuse against those who don't kow-tow to you middle-class failures.

[midcentb]

He seems to be finding connections when there aren't any.
It's easy to selectively quote examples that fit your narratives and ignore much of facts to make a case.

[whymustisigninthis]

If you're running a repressive regime I don't think it's possible to effectively provide the services to the people long-term. At least I hope not.

[christianblau]

I think Martin Wolf makes a valid point here

[kamilziemian]

But, how many democracis without populist goverments did purly with Covid-19? I think Spain is one clear example, maybe Italy (I don't know if we should categorize Five Star Movment still as populist or not).

[bestintentions]

democratic government of Hong Kong handled COVID well, CHYNA did not.

[bostaurus]

martin wolf failing to see luck and whether a country is a hub

[kunalseth]

Modi is the best leader India has had.