Overview
- Applies social identity theory to populism and fundamentalism simultaneously
- Demonstrates the usefulness of identity in understanding movements which would normally be analyzed separately
- Written for scholars of religious studies, politics, sociology, and social psychology
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Table of contents (14 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
What can populism and fundamentalism possibly have in common? Peter Herriot argues that contrary to their apparent differences, these human phenomena are similar in two basic respects. First, they are both reactions against the complexities of the modern world in general, and its current crisis in particular. They propose instead a return to a mythical golden age, supposedly marked by purity and simplicity. Second, they both work in the same way psychologically. Using social identity theory, Herriot shows how both populism and fundamentalism create constant conflict by contrasting a virtuous ‘Us’ with a stereotypically evil ‘Them’. Contemporary case studies illustrate this process at work, and Herriot raises various issues as a basis for discussion, and concludes with hope.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Peter Herriot was Professor of Organizational Psychology in the UK. Since retirement he has applied social and organizational psychology to religious fundamentalism, having himself been brought up in a fundamentalist family. His recent books include Religious Fundamentalism: Global, Local, and Personal (2008) and The Open Brethren: A Christian Sect in the Modern World (2018).
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Populism, Fundamentalism, and Identity
Book Subtitle: Fighting Talk
Authors: Peter Herriot
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42509-8
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-42508-1Published: 09 April 2020
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-42511-1Published: 09 April 2021
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-42509-8Published: 08 April 2020
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VIII, 157
Topics: Religion and Society, Politics and Religion, Sociology of Religion, Religion and Psychology