Populism and Illiberalism in Western Societies

A major concern in Western countries today is the destabilising influence of radical right political forces which are intent on supplanting liberal democracy with something called illiberal democracy. This book offers a fresh perspective on our understanding of the phenomenon of populism which underpins this radical right challenge. Drawing on the systems theory of Niklas Luhmann, the author applies his conception of autopoietic social systems to the analysis of radical right populism in Britain, Europe and the United States. The unique aspect of this analysis is the bringing together of autopoietic systems theory with insights derived from a more conventional sociological viewpoint offered by Norbert Elias, Pierre Bourdieu, C. Wright Mills and Edwin Sutherland. The book will be of interest to students and researchers in political science and sociology, with a particular interest in applying Luhmann's work to issues relating to democracy and autocracy.