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It has become redundant to say that the Left is in crisis. The electoral decline of traditional left-wing parties across Western democracies, fueled by the defection of their historical voter base to the populist Right, paints a bleak picture for progressive politics. The old anchors are slipping, and the Left, long the bearer of emancipatory promises, finds itself disoriented. If the far Right thrives by mobilizing populist rhetoric, could a left variant offer a viable alternative? And if so, what are the costs?
Event details of The Center Cannot Hold: A Case for Left Populism?
Date
14 May 2025
Time
20:00
Location
SPUI25

Within the leftist intellectual landscape, some have argued for left populism as a strategy to reclaim “the people” as a unifying political subject. In practice, political actors have already begun to adopt elements of this approach. Together with our expert panel we explore whether left populism can reconcile class and identity, recognition and redistribution, into a coherent political project. What are the ethical implications of constructing “the people” as a subject? Can this strategy overcome the fragmentation of the left and speak to economic grievances, environmental concerns, and struggles for recognition? How can the rhetorical style and appeal to emotions of the populist Right be adopted by the Left?  

Over SPUI25

SPUI25 is the academic-cultural podium of Amsterdam. Since 2007, we have been giving scientists, authors, artists and other thinkers the opportunity to shine a light on issues that occupy, inspire or concern them. In cooperation with a large number of academic and cultural partners, we organize between 250 and 300 freely accessible programs per year. These are enriching, often interdisciplinary programs that move between science and culture, fact and fiction.

SPUI25 is one of the UvA podia in the University Quarter.

SPUI25

Spui 25-27
1012 WX Amsterdam