The Rise of the Outsiders : How Mainstream Politics Lost Its Way

Discover why outsiders from Trump to Corbyn are succeeding like never before - and what this means for you. Politics in the West has become unpredictable and tumultuous. In recent years, voters have deserted the political centre like never before. Whether it's Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, Tsipras, or even Corbyn, why have outsiders and populists flourished on far left and far right? Why is the political landscape shifting so rapidly? In this landmark book, celebrated political commentator Steve Richards provides a clear and penetrating analysis of the biggest political story of the past fifty years. He argues that despite charismatic outsiders dominating the headlines, the real answers lie in the failure of the mainstream to evolve in a world still suffering the fallout of the financial crash in 2008. Exploring factors from globalization and a changing media to rising immigration and stagnant wages, he reveals just why confidence in conventional politics is at an all-time low - and why many voters (wrongly) see mainstream politicians as self-interested and aloof. And what of the outsiders themselves? Analysing their record so far, Richards argues that the reasons for their success also sow the seeds of their eventual demise. If they do gain power, they inevitably become insiders themselves - and fail to live up to their outlandish promises. But with the world increasingly unstable in the meantime, Richards warns that there is an urgent need for conventional politicians to reconnect with voters and for the electorate to engage with the constraints on elected politicians. Intelligent, nuanced and wide-ranging, this is the essential handbook for understanding the chaotic political times in which we live "Politics in the West has become unpredictable and tumultuous. In recent years, voters have deserted the political centre like never before. Whether it's Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, Tsipras, or even Corbyn, why have outsiders and populists flourished on far left and far right? Why is the political landscape shifting so rapidly? In this landmark book, celebrated political commentator Steve Richards provides a clear and penetrating analysis of the biggest political story of the past fifty years. He argues that despite charismatic outsiders dominating the headlines, the real answers lie in the failure of the mainstream to evolve in a world still suffering the fallout of the financial crash in 2008. Exploring factors from globalization and a changing media to rising immigration and stagnant wages, he reveals just why confidence in conventional politics is at an all-time low--and why many voters (wrongly) see mainstream politicians as self-interested and aloof. And what of the outsiders themselves? Analysing their record so far, Richards argues that the reasons for their success also sow the seeds of their eventual demise. If they do gain power, they inevitably become insiders themselves--and fail to live up to their outlandish promises. But with the world increasingly unstable in the meantime, Richards warns that there is an urgent need for conventional politicians to reconnect with voters and for the electorate to engage with the constraints on elected politicians. Intelligent, nuanced and wide-ranging, this is the essential handbook for understanding the chaotic political times in which we live."--Jacket Something Strange Has Been Happening. All Over The World, People Are Angry And Rejecting The Establishment Like Never Before. Britain Votes Brexit. Trump Promises Walls In America. Corbyn Promises A New Socialism In The Uk. Tsipras In Greece. Podemos In Spain. Marine Le Pen In France. Norbert Hofer In Austria. The List Goes On. Why Has The Mainstream Lost Support? Why Are The Outsiders Flourishing On Far Left And Far Right? Do They Have The Answers To Our Problems? In This Landmark Book, Political Journalist Steve Richards Provides A Captivating Account Of The Defining Political Phenomenon Of This Decade. Telling The Riveting Story Of How Eccentrics, Ideologues, And Strong Men Are Breaking The Political Rules, He Asks Why They're Gaining Support And Examines The Frightening Implications Of This New Global Rise In Anti-establishment Sentiment. Are We Approaching A New Age Of Populism, Where Democracy Is Eroded? Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. The Outsiders On The Right -- 2. The Rise Of The Left-wing Outsiders -- 3. Choosing To Be Powerless: The Mainstream Left -- 4. Choosing To Be Powerless: The Mainstream Right -- 5. The Powerlessness Of Power -- 6. Taking Back Control -- 7. Trust -- 8. Powerlessness And The Media. Steve Richards. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Discover why outsiders from Trump to Corbyn to Pauline Hanson are succeeding like never before - and what this means for you. Something strange has been happening. All over the World, people are angry and rejecting the establishment like never before. Britain votes Brexit. Trump promises walls in America. Corbyn promises a new socialism in the UK. Tsipras in Greece. Podemos in Spain. Marine Le Pen in France. Norbert Hofer in Austria. The list goes on. Why has the mainstream lost support? Why are the outsiders flourishing on far left and far right? Do they have the answers to our problems? In this landmark book, political journalist Steve Richards provides a captivating account of the defining political phenomenon of this decade. Telling the riveting story of how eccentrics, ideologues, and strong men are breaking the political rules, he asks why they're gaining support and examines the frightening implications of this new global rise in anti-establishment sentiment. Are we approaching a new age of populism, where democracy is eroded? The Rise of the Outsiders tackles all of these questions and more. Exploring how and if the mainstream can regain voters' trust, this is a book that no politically engaged reader can afford to miss Something strange has been happening. All over the world, people are angry and rejecting the establishment like never before. Britain votes Brexit. Trump promises walls in America. Corbyn promises a new socialism in the UK. Tsipras in Greece. Podemos in Spain. Marine Le Pen in France. Norbert Hofer in Austria. The list goes on. Why has the mainstream lost support? Why are the outsiders flourishing on far left and far right? Do they have the answers to our problems? In this landmark book, political journalist Steve Richards provides a captivating account of the defining political phenomenon of this decade. Telling the riveting story of how eccentrics, ideologues, and strong men are breaking the political rules, he asks why they're gaining support and examines the frightening implications of this new global rise in anti-establishment sentiment. Are we approaching a new age of populism, where democracy is eroded? The Rise of the Outsiders tackles all of these questions and more. Exploring how and if the mainstream can regain voters' trust, this is a book that no politically engaged reader can afford to miss. --Provided by publisher Discover why outsiders from Trump to Corbyn are succeeding like never before - and what this means for you. In recent years, voters have deserted the political centre like never before. Whether it's Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, or Corbyn, outsiders and populists are flourishing on the far left and far right. Celebrated political commentator Steve Richards explores factors from globalization and fake news to rising immigration and stagnant wages. Richards argues that the reasons for the success of the outsider also sows the seeds of their eventual demise. If they do gain power, they inevitably become insiders themselves - and fail to live up to their extravagant promises. This landmark book examines the rapidly shifting global political landscape of the last decade, and is essential reading for anyone who has been bothered by Brexit, troubled by Trump or confused by Corbyn.