POLS 101.

01

FALL 2022

OPTIONAL TERM PAPER

PAPER TITLE

FIRST NAME: Baturalp Cemal

LAST NAME: POLAT

STUDENT NUMBER: 2021209099

DEPARTMENT: Arts and Sciences

DATE SUBMITTED: 18.12.2022

ISSUES EXAMINED:

1. Rise of Populism

2. Climate Change

3. Refugee Crisis
 Politics is a way of communication that we use to understand each other

needs and try to reach a rational outcome. However, in today’s political scene

we see growing number of politicians move away from the rational way and

use populism as a common practice.

All around the world, populism is on the rise. It heavily relies on emotions

rather than the rational thought. Politicians from both left and right parties

suffer from this. Politicians use populism to create enemies and demonize the

opposition. While try to oppose “elitism” it also opposes many actions that we

consider high-cultured.

At the first glance, populism may seem like a thought that can benefit the

majority. Nevertheless, with a brief research one can understand populism

causes variety of problems. It focuses on emotions which leads to “solutions”

that solve nothing. Current problems require conscience, rational thinking and

toleration. Yet, populism and populist politicians undermine our efforts of

being a rational human being.

 One of reasons for the rise of populism is the media coverage populist

leaders get. Even the negative news about these populist politicians is an

opportunity for them to make a name. Media is interested in these political

actors since they create drama. Public can be educated to not to react to this

type of news which will result in less media coverage from TV channels and

tabloids.

Another reason for the rise of populism is misinformation. Populist use

misinformation to rally the crowds for their own cause. Misinformation as in

the form of execration, can cause individuals to act with their emotions and

take irrational choices. Social media platforms, classical media and

governments should work together against misinformation.

Populist politicians use a narrative that implies all other politicians except

themselves are out of touch with the public and became elites who do not care

about common good. They also claim that current parties are “system parties”

thus cannot come up with any solutions. In order to clear any confusion, parties

should enact reform that will help them with addressing today’s problems

more accurately. Moreover, politicians should meet with the people frequently

and listen to them more.

Çözümlerin halkın yararına olduğu inandırılmalı

Halk ve yargı politikacıların ayrımcı diline tepki göstermeli