Deconstructive Populism
The Visceral Delight of Tearing Things Down
We live in an age of deconstructive populism, where joy is found among very powerful people in tearing things down. It is infantile in spirit, and it would be laughable were it not so destructive. Think of the visceral delight an infant finds in knocking over blocks, multiply that delight many times, and imagine it residing in the minds of adults in power. Let their delight be fueled, both by the joy of knocking things over, which is for them exciting and fun; and by a sense that they are "righting a wrong" that has been foisted on them and an amorphous mass they call "the people." Imagine that they justify their delight by appeal to something much higher—God. So their act of tearing things down is, for them, a moral crusade with God on their side. That is the spirit of deconstructive populism.
One historical example of such populism, although devoid of an appeal to God, can be found in the Jacobins during the French Revolution, particularly during the Reign of Terror (1793–1794). Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the Jacobins sought to dismantle existing power structures in the name of revolutionary justice. They framed their cause as a movement toward a utopian republic, but their primary method was the radical purge of perceived enemies. The Jacobins thrived on an 'us vs. them' mentality, using mass executions and sweeping purges to eliminate opposition. While initially presenting a vision of equality and virtue, their movement eventually collapsed under its own contradictions and internal strife—exemplifying the self-destructive tendencies inherent in deconstructive populism.
What is Deconstructive Populism?
In our time the spirit of deconstructive populism is found in right wing politics, where the spirit of deconstruction has been politicized and weaponized for right-wing ends. It is a political strategy of an elite who think of themselves as agents of change, and it is fueled by grievance, undertaken in a childish and thoughtless way. It draws its energy from the visceral delight of tearing things down—the raw, collective thrill of dismantling structure and stability.
One aspect of this thrill is a willful turning away from norms of goodness and generosity. In The Confessions Saint Augustine recounts an episode from his youth when he and a group of friends stole pears from a tree, not out of necessity or hunger but purely for the thrill of doing something forbidden. This incident becomes a central metaphor for Augustine's understanding of sin as a willful turning away from God's goodness.
Deconstructive populism is like this. It delights in what others deem forbidden. It thrives on the sheer visceral satisfaction of destroying what was constructed or created by others. Rooted in deep frustrations and perceived injustices, it channels anger into acts of destruction...and has fun doing it.
The Binary of Us vs. Them
At the core of deconstructive populism is a binary worldview that divides society into two opposing camps: 'us' and 'them.' This stark dichotomy simplifies complex social, political, and economic issues into a battle between perceived oppressors and the oppressed. 'Us' represents the righteous, the true people, those who have been wronged and seek justice through disruption. 'Them' refers to the elites, intellectuals, bureaucrats, or any group perceived as wielding undue influence and control.
This division fuels deconstructive populism’s appeal by fostering a sense of unity and purpose among its adherents. It provides an easy narrative for discontent, offering a clear enemy to rally against. The more rigid this binary becomes, the less room there is for nuance, dialogue, or cooperation. By defining identity in opposition to an external threat, deconstructive populism ensures its continued momentum but at the cost of meaningful resolution or constructive change.
The Rhetoric of a "Golden Age"
Of course, the joy of destruction is hidden from public view. One of the primary methods of deconstructive populism is to pretend that it has a positive vision to put in place, either a movement toward a new and unparalleled future, as in the case of a radical and violent revolution, or a "return" to a golden age, which appeals to shared grievances and collective nostalgia among a broad base of people. The right wing deconstruction of our time is of the latter kind.
This rhetorical maneuver serves as a kind of smokescreen, providing a sense of direction or purpose while keeping its primary focus on the act of dismantling itself. The promise of a golden age, often framed nostalgically, resonates emotionally with supporters, but it is rarely accompanied by substantive plans or clear pathways. Instead, the emphasis remains on destabilizing the present, channeling frustrations into the exhilarating process of destruction without necessarily committing to the complexities of rebuilding.
The Irony of Nostalgia
The golden age narrative also adds an ironic layer to the deconstructive ethos of deconstructive populism. By invoking an idealized past, it plays into a constructed myth—a symbol of order and coherence that never truly existed. This doubles the deconstruction: even as deconstructive populism dismantles contemporary structures, it reveals the fragility and artificiality of the very myths it claims to uphold. The tension between the nostalgic facade and the underlying chaos amplifies the thrill of the movement, creating a paradoxical celebration of both destruction and illusion.
Mimetic Spread: The Shared Delight in Tearing Down
The spirit of deconstructive populism spreads through a process of mimesis—a shared and contagious delight in the act of tearing things down. When individuals witness others engaging in acts of rebellion and destruction, they are drawn into the emotional energy of the moment. This mimetic dynamic fuels collective action, as people imitate the thrill and liberation they observe in others. The mimetic nature of deconstructive populism amplifies its power. As more people join in, the movement’s energy grows, creating a feedback loop of participation and exhilaration. This shared delight fosters a sense of unity among participants, binding them together through their collective rejection of authority and the status quo. The pleasure is not only in the outcome but in the shared act itself, where rebellion becomes both a means and an end.
The Seeds of Self-Destruction
Deconstructive populism contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction. The same forces that drive its appeal—the shared thrill of tearing down and the emotional unity it fosters—are inherently unsustainable. As the movement dismantles existing structures without constructing viable alternatives, it creates a vacuum of meaning and order that eventually turns in on itself. The absence of a coherent vision or practical framework for rebuilding leaves participants disillusioned over time. Furthermore, the mimetic spread of its rebellious energy can spiral into internal conflicts, as the destructive momentum it thrives on finds new targets within the movement itself. In seeking to destroy all forms of authority, deconstructive populism often undermines its own ability to sustain collective purpose, leading to fragmentation and eventual collapse.
One historical example of such populism, although devoid of an appeal to God, can be found in the Jacobins during the French Revolution, particularly during the Reign of Terror (1793–1794). Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the Jacobins sought to dismantle existing power structures in the name of revolutionary justice. They framed their cause as a movement toward a utopian republic, but their primary method was the radical purge of perceived enemies. The Jacobins thrived on an 'us vs. them' mentality, using mass executions and sweeping purges to eliminate opposition. While initially presenting a vision of equality and virtue, their movement eventually collapsed under its own contradictions and internal strife—exemplifying the self-destructive tendencies inherent in deconstructive populism.
What is Deconstructive Populism?
In our time the spirit of deconstructive populism is found in right wing politics, where the spirit of deconstruction has been politicized and weaponized for right-wing ends. It is a political strategy of an elite who think of themselves as agents of change, and it is fueled by grievance, undertaken in a childish and thoughtless way. It draws its energy from the visceral delight of tearing things down—the raw, collective thrill of dismantling structure and stability.
One aspect of this thrill is a willful turning away from norms of goodness and generosity. In The Confessions Saint Augustine recounts an episode from his youth when he and a group of friends stole pears from a tree, not out of necessity or hunger but purely for the thrill of doing something forbidden. This incident becomes a central metaphor for Augustine's understanding of sin as a willful turning away from God's goodness.
Deconstructive populism is like this. It delights in what others deem forbidden. It thrives on the sheer visceral satisfaction of destroying what was constructed or created by others. Rooted in deep frustrations and perceived injustices, it channels anger into acts of destruction...and has fun doing it.
The Binary of Us vs. Them
At the core of deconstructive populism is a binary worldview that divides society into two opposing camps: 'us' and 'them.' This stark dichotomy simplifies complex social, political, and economic issues into a battle between perceived oppressors and the oppressed. 'Us' represents the righteous, the true people, those who have been wronged and seek justice through disruption. 'Them' refers to the elites, intellectuals, bureaucrats, or any group perceived as wielding undue influence and control.
This division fuels deconstructive populism’s appeal by fostering a sense of unity and purpose among its adherents. It provides an easy narrative for discontent, offering a clear enemy to rally against. The more rigid this binary becomes, the less room there is for nuance, dialogue, or cooperation. By defining identity in opposition to an external threat, deconstructive populism ensures its continued momentum but at the cost of meaningful resolution or constructive change.
The Rhetoric of a "Golden Age"
Of course, the joy of destruction is hidden from public view. One of the primary methods of deconstructive populism is to pretend that it has a positive vision to put in place, either a movement toward a new and unparalleled future, as in the case of a radical and violent revolution, or a "return" to a golden age, which appeals to shared grievances and collective nostalgia among a broad base of people. The right wing deconstruction of our time is of the latter kind.
This rhetorical maneuver serves as a kind of smokescreen, providing a sense of direction or purpose while keeping its primary focus on the act of dismantling itself. The promise of a golden age, often framed nostalgically, resonates emotionally with supporters, but it is rarely accompanied by substantive plans or clear pathways. Instead, the emphasis remains on destabilizing the present, channeling frustrations into the exhilarating process of destruction without necessarily committing to the complexities of rebuilding.
The Irony of Nostalgia
The golden age narrative also adds an ironic layer to the deconstructive ethos of deconstructive populism. By invoking an idealized past, it plays into a constructed myth—a symbol of order and coherence that never truly existed. This doubles the deconstruction: even as deconstructive populism dismantles contemporary structures, it reveals the fragility and artificiality of the very myths it claims to uphold. The tension between the nostalgic facade and the underlying chaos amplifies the thrill of the movement, creating a paradoxical celebration of both destruction and illusion.
Mimetic Spread: The Shared Delight in Tearing Down
The spirit of deconstructive populism spreads through a process of mimesis—a shared and contagious delight in the act of tearing things down. When individuals witness others engaging in acts of rebellion and destruction, they are drawn into the emotional energy of the moment. This mimetic dynamic fuels collective action, as people imitate the thrill and liberation they observe in others. The mimetic nature of deconstructive populism amplifies its power. As more people join in, the movement’s energy grows, creating a feedback loop of participation and exhilaration. This shared delight fosters a sense of unity among participants, binding them together through their collective rejection of authority and the status quo. The pleasure is not only in the outcome but in the shared act itself, where rebellion becomes both a means and an end.
The Seeds of Self-Destruction
Deconstructive populism contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction. The same forces that drive its appeal—the shared thrill of tearing down and the emotional unity it fosters—are inherently unsustainable. As the movement dismantles existing structures without constructing viable alternatives, it creates a vacuum of meaning and order that eventually turns in on itself. The absence of a coherent vision or practical framework for rebuilding leaves participants disillusioned over time. Furthermore, the mimetic spread of its rebellious energy can spiral into internal conflicts, as the destructive momentum it thrives on finds new targets within the movement itself. In seeking to destroy all forms of authority, deconstructive populism often undermines its own ability to sustain collective purpose, leading to fragmentation and eventual collapse.