Foreword
Chapter 1 – The Inequality Delusion and Other Scapegoats for
Populism
Chapter 2 – The Fairness Instinct
Chapter 3 – Economic Unfairness and the Rise of
Populism
Chapter 4 – The Twin Virtues of Equal Opportunity and Fair Unequal
Outcomes
Chapter 5 – Constraints and Solutions to Economic Fairness
Conclusion – Scripting A Path Forward
References
Eric Protzer is a Research Fellow at Harvard
University’s Growth Lab.
Paul Summerville is an Adjunct Professor at the
University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business.
“Highly recommended"
Vancouver Sun
“Eric Protzer at Harvard and his [Canadian] collaborator, Paul
Summerville, have crunched vast amounts of data from opinion polls
and social surveys to address the question “why populism?” and they
give us some clues about how to counter it ... they come to
some highly significant conclusions. The usual explanations from
the left (that populist politics is a response to growing
inequality) or from the right (that it is due to permissive
immigration policies) both appear to be wrong. Rather, what
lies behind the political rage which produces populist politics is
a generalised sense of “unfairness” which arises from a decline in
social mobility and frustrated opportunities. In other words,
people have little objection to a minority becoming “filthy rich,”
provided it is achieved through hard work, risk taking or good luck
when opportunities are open to all and provided the wealthy are
contributing as well as being rewarded.”
Vince Cable, The Independent
“The growing economic inequality we see today has failed to explain
how populism arises in some places such as the United States and
not in others. And government measures to encourage more equal
outcomes have failed to combat populism. Eric Protzer and Paul
Summerville argue persuasively in Reclaiming
Populism that electorates tolerate inequality but not what
they see as economic unfairness, especially in times of limited
social mobility. This thought-provoking book should be read by
anyone wanting to understand and deal with today’s turn to
populism.”
Christopher Gainor – author, historian
“By focusing so well on the lack of social mobility as a major
contributor to the rise of populism, this book makes a big
contribution to the debate about how to create better, more
productive, and fairer societies”
Bob Rae
“Reclaiming Populism provides much needed insights into the reasons
for populism. By debunking popular explanations, it shows why we
need to create fairer societies and how this can be achieved.”
Professor Ian Goldin, Oxford University “This book is an important
contribution to the vital debate about why so many voters feel
disenchanted and how to assuage their concerns. As the authors show
with rigorous analysis and empirical research, it is the lack of
opportunity, not an absence of equality, that is undermining the
social contract in Western societies - and it is only by giving
people the chance to realise their potential that we can start to
repair it. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum, no matter
where in the West you live, this book has something for you.”
Will Tanner, Director of Onward “Reclaiming Populism is a must
read for all those who think we are going through some weird era,
that populism is some kind of strange unjust phenomenon and realise
that there are numerous examples of unfairness out there that
require proper policy attention in order to make capitalism work
better. I have become a big believer of Profit with Purpose in
recent years, and especially following the tragedy of Covid-19 the
issues that relate to fairness of policy and the rise of populist
backlashes need to be treated in a much more open manner. And as
the authors demonstrate, much oft perceived causes of anger are
often incorrect diagnoses, and dealing with issues in a fairer way
lies at the heart of a better society and world.”
Jim O'Neill, ex Commercial Secretary to the UK Treasury, ex Chief
Economist of Goldman Sachs, Senior Advisor to Chatham House “This
book is a timely reminder of the fundamental importance of making
thoughtful political choices with a laser focus on fairness -
"promoting equal opportunities and fair unequal outcomes" -
because it is a winning formula. Protzer and Summerville's work
comes at a critical juncture with a concerning number of possible
shocks and opportunities for cheating in the mixed economic
responses to the pandemic, the evolution of geo-politics and
dominance shifts, intergenerational inequality and the pressure
that the climate crisis places on policy makers. We can all learn
the lesson that "fairness is a critical policy input." The book
provides considerable food for thought, and refreshingly with
practical solutions. It shouldn't be surprising to say, but sadly
it still is, that embedding economic fairness is the key for the
future of any pluralist trying to reclaim populism.”
Annabel Mullin - Principal Consultant at OneFifty Consultancy,
Co-Founder - Stand for Something
“Protzer and Summerville contribute astutely to a large and varied
literature on inequality with a work of sharp and timely
analysis. Reclaiming Populism asserts that there is an
ethic of fairness that underlies, or should underlie, economic
arrangements. Their insight that a "fairness principle" is being
undermined in a "rigged system" where "forgotten people' are
desperately trying to communicate their pain through the populist
channel, is deliciously incisive. Protzer and Summerville offer a
set of policy prescriptions that are carefully calibrated to the
subtle sense of unfairness that has governed the emergence of so
many populist movements in recent years. This book is a home
run.”
Allan Dwyer, Associate Professor of Finance, Mount Royal University
(Calgary)
“Why have electorates around the world become more susceptible to
populist political ideas? Is it income and wealth inequality? Is it
immigration? Is it globalisation? Is it social media? According to
Protzer & Summerville, it’s none of these. This deep, data rich
analysis of the root cause of rising populism ekes out a more
subtle but profound answer to the dilemma of our age. To paraphrase
Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign strategist James Carville, “It’s
fairness, stupid.” With a profound understanding of our natural
Fairness Instinct as its foundation, this important book brings the
current system’s flaws into sharp relief. Any politician wishing to
find the centre of political gravity should read it.”
Andrew McNally, CEO of Equitile Investments and Author
of Debtonator – How Debt Favours the Few
“A expert and even-tempered dissection of the myths of populism. It
exposes the fundamental tensions that underlie the twin ideals of
freedom and equality. By highlighting the crucial difference
between equal opportunity and equal outcomes, the authors show how
economic fairness is the best resolving chord.”
John Brodie Donald, Author of Catataxis: When more of the same
is different
“Controversial and self-consciously provocative to be sure, this is
a timely, thoughtful, original and even brave book that should be
read by all those troubled by the rise of populism and the
worrisome state of contemporary democracy.”
Chris Watson, Former National Director, New Democratic Party of
Canada
“This clearly written and well researched book offers a fresh
perspective on our current political malaise. It argues that
an old-fashioned virtue – fairness – offers the way forward.
Increasing equality of opportunity and social mobility is the
road back to prosperity, pluralism and democratic resilience.”
Rod Tiffen, University of Sydney
“A deeply researched and trenchant examination of the
economic forces that have led to populist movements in
North America and Europe. Critically, the authors lay out how
crucial it is for policymakers to create economic policies
that are widely perceived by citizens as fair, stressing
the vital importance of equality of opportunity for
all.”
Bill Powell, Chief Washington
Correspondent, Newsweek Magazine
“You think income inequality causes populism? Think
again! Reclaiming Populism convincingly argues that the
issue is not how unequal income is, it is the lack of social
mobility. Unlike so many books on populism, the authors propose a
policy agenda to guide action so that accidents of birth do not
determine a person’s chances in life.”
Ricardo Hausmann, Harvard University
“Concise, clear and convincing… It takes populism seriously and
makes a valuable contribution to the debate.”
Nikkei Asia
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