John Denham

Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇

The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...

Next: why opposition has failed, and how a better response might be built.

Populism filled the gap with a story of sovereignty and nationhood.
Its causes are international — but its appeal is national

Globalisation created losers. Migration tested belonging. Nation states lost control.

Six posts, one theme: how national populism reshaped European politics.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far 🧵 👇

This has been an interesting series to date, as you'd expect. John will now turn to his own 'convincing alternative.

FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.

The Nation Returns
Across Europe, voters are turning to movements that promise to restore national control.
The question is not only why they believe it — but why so few opponents of national populism offer a convincing alternative.
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/how-we-got...

How we got here: recapping the rise of national populism in Europe In this post, my seventh on the rise of national populism in Europe, I summarise the issues covered to date.

National populism connects economics, identity and democracy into one story of the nation.
Its critics rarely offer a story of their own. That’s why moral disapproval keeps failing.

A constant weakness of progressives is to confuse their reaction to something they don’t like with an effective strategy to oppose it

Populism’s appeal is coherent: it links economics, democracy and belonging through the idea of the nation.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.

Why opposition to National Populism has failed so far👇

nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/publish/post...

To counter it, we need to study its language, its promises, and the problems it claims to solve.
Understanding is essential preparation for success.

Populism’s appeal is coherent: it links economics, democracy and belonging through the idea of the nation.
Its opponents rarely offer a story of their own.

National populism keeps advancing. Each time its critics express shock - then carry on as before.

Why does opposition keep failing?🧵

TBF he seemed like a radical community activist who supported the ultra diverse and migrant rich UKCitizens

As someone who is quite engaged with ‘Blue Labour’ type communitarian politics I do find plenty of people who steer clear of the issues because they don’t want to be associated with an individual.

Real problem is that the Blue Labour strand does raise some important issues, but because Glasman promotes himself ‘as’ Blue Labour (and a very right wing version of it) hard for them to get an audience.

Thanks. Any estimates of % of procurement that would currently sit in the innovative category and what the potential maximum might be?

Do we yet even have the equivalent of SBRI or DARPA at any serious scale? (I’ve been out of that debate for years but have not heard of it)

A reason why public procurement should focus on creating markets for innovative solutions to real public sector needs.

Funny thing - because I’m old - is that I remember when it did….

Thanks for the warning😀

Idea for BBC R4: quality BBC journos, serious investigative reports, interviewers on top of subjects, balanced coverage of parties. No breathless reporting of Reform, journos as ‘experts’, book pluggers, pop song lyrics, football banter. Could be broadcast 06:00-09:00.

England’s World UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state

‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...

England’s World UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state

‘Sovereingtist’ voters who supported Brexit are also opposed to leading on climate change action. nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...

England’s World UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state

If net zero can be linked to the domestic politics of employment and living standards, the national populists hope to mobilise their Brexit coalitions again. But this time with more support in Scotland
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...

With COP30 approaching, why are right-wing and Eurosceptic parties so resistant to climate change action? English voters polarise on how much the UK should act as a sovereign independent nation. 'Sovereigntist' Eurosceptic voters also oppose climate change leadership🧵

Yes that’s my assumption but the polling wasn’t detailed enough to say

England’s World UK Foreign Policy in a multi-nation state

If net zero can be linked to the domestic politics of employment and living standards, the national populists hope to mobilise their Brexit coalitions again. But this time with more support in Scotland
nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/p/englands-w...