THE PERIL OF POPULISM

Brexit and Trump were no accident. Both campaigns invested heavily in “Big Data” to predict human behaviour. Their leaders then used populist tactics to convince voters they should reject new-age politics and embrace protectionism.

Those same tactics are now on the rise in Australia. Minor parties and independents are ratcheting up anti-government feeling and dissatisfaction with the political establishment by shouting simple slogans to complex problems.

That’s because populism is more a political logic than a policy program; a thin ideology which calls for kicking out the political establishment, but doesn’t specify the replacement.

On the latest political battleground – housing affordability – mainstream politicians are now trying to catch that same wave of populism. And with that there is the risk that the great peril of populism will prevail – the critical reforms needed for prosperity, jobs and strong communities will be bypassed in favour of popular, but doomed ‘quick fixes’.

To understand the latest nexus between policy, politics, advocacy and business, April Hunter Lunch with Feyi Akindoyeni is a must-attend event.

Embedded at the National Press Club in Washington DC as Donald Trump became the United States 45th President, she witnessed first-hand as the established political orthodoxy suffered a seismic shift.

Feyi’s analysis of how Trump used populist tactics – consistently and strategically – to tap a rich vein of voter disaffection and achieve an improbable victory will fascinate.

Her evidence for how quickly the same political phenomenon is swamping Australia – and the implications for business – will give cause for sober reflection.

 

Feyi Akindoyeni gives the Keynote Address at Hunter Lunch on Thursday 6 April

THE RISE OF THE POPULIST: How Trump won and is Australia Next?

Click here to register