Populism is currently the most topical political phenomenon in Europe. The concept involves splitting the political reality into two opposing groups: the people and the elites, where populists see themselves as the only representatives of the people in contrast to the elites. Right-wing nativist populism has a particularly strong influence over political discourse in Eastern and Western Europe, which is undergoing a gradual shift to the right as a result of opportunistic behaviour by mainstream political parties. Nativist populism poses a serious threat to human rights in Europe, as apart from portraying human rights as an obstacle in governing of the people, it promotes intolerance and discrimination against minorities and migrants, trampling human rights in the name of public security, and discrediting the media and non-governmental organisations, while in Eastern Europe, populism targets the fundamental elements of the rule of law, the system of checks and balances, and constitutional democracy, which assure the realization of human rights. In order to efficiently and successfully deal with the threats that this ideology poses, nativist-populist arguments must be publicly condemned, while the ruling ideology and socio-economic model in the West, and undemocratic technocratic political solutions must be seriously reconsidered. Moreover, human rights must be reaffirmed as the fundamental rights of all people through radical changes of the human rights system with a view to integrate solidarity, and place social rights at the same level as civil and political rights.
|
