Populist Discourse

Deforestation.

Desertification.

Biodiversity Utilization.

Climate change.

These are the topics of environmental issues that surround the modern day ecological concern, as addressed in Adger et Al’s “Advancing a political ecology of global environmental discourses.”

Populist discourse.

Is probably the most abused, politically empirical system of worthless opinions compiled into a platform of nonsense.

The perfect example of that political jargon is Cezar Chavez’ closing speech of his ’06 campaign.

Summarized in this link: http://umvod.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/jensen-chavez1.pdf

So what are some characteristics of a largely populist debate?

-There is always an evil, like big brother or the wealthy elite. There has to be a small group of someones that the larger group can blame.

-It touches on national leaders or religious subdivisions, reaching to a higher, stronger—more well known being or power.

-There are only two sides to each situation: the perfect outcome and the absolute disaster. There is no median, no gray areas- just black and white.

-And it is largely democratic- wanting to benefit the majority versus the minority but never having an exact recipe for the desired outcome.

In fact, the majority of debates that contain political stimulation rely on methods such as populist discourse in order to gain favor from the public.

In reference to the environmental issues stated earlier, a populist discourse is the absolute worst point of view to take onto the matter.

Populists create victims of average farmers and land owners. And although arguably true, there is no benefit in categorically grouping those who make money and those who don’t. farmers, in our economy simply cant be given more. A capitalist economy thrives on the backs of the workingmen. And although morally the argument is questionable, that’s just the way things are. Populist discourse creates two VERY separate standings: the poor and the rich,

Another downfall is the cosmic proportion of those affected. Deforestation affects EVERYONE. Yes, it may be that somehow in a very small but significant way, myself or you are affected by the deforestation of virgin lands. It would be ideal if EVERYONE who was affected pitched in for change, but the reality is that only a number are affected and the problem cannot be rooted to a certain group if it effects everyone.

The worst cause of a populist discourse is that the overworked farmer becomes the targeted audience, he becomes the noble man of the land. Instead of asking the rich for tributary help, populists command that the farmer must embody his power as a common individual and strive with his brothers and implicitly get richer.