Century of Populist Demagogues

The renowned historian Ivan Berend discusses populist demagoguery through the presentation of 18 politicians from 12 European countries from World War I to the present. In this book, Berend defines demagoguery, reflects on its connections with populism, and examines the common features and differences in the demagogues' programs and language. Mussolini and Hitler, the "model demagogues," are only briefly discussed, as is the election of Donald Trump in the United States and its impact on Europe. The 18 detailed portraits include two communists, two fascists, and several rightwing and anti-EU politicians. The series runs from Bela Kun, the leader of the Hungarian Soviet Republic in 1919, through Codreanu and Gombos from the 1930s, Stahremberg and Haider in Austria, Ceausescu, Milosevic, Tudjman, Izetbegovic, Berlusconi, Wilders, the two Le Pens, Farage and Boris Johnson, Orban and the two Kaczynskis. Each case includes an analysis of the time and place and is illustrated with quotations from the demagogues' speeches. This book is a warning about the continuing threat of populist demagogues both for their subjects and for history itself. Berend insists on the crucial importance for Europe to understand the reality behind their promises and persuasive language in order to impede their success.