The populism of fear

Abstract

In democratic countries, at least in the western hemisphere, there has been a political trend toward appealing to the fear of crime as a popular issue in electoral campaigns, as well as more generally as a way of attracting public notice. The trend is likely to be particularly strong in countries in which major offices are openly contested for election, but economic inequality is pronounced and the willingness or ability of the government to deliver social services is limited. Under those conditions, there is a strong temptation to find an issue that will appeal to all classes; the issue of crime and the consequent fear of insecurity is an obvious issue that is frequently used and is sometimes even exaggerated in the hope of enlisting popular support. This article examines this phenomenon in recent years in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, in Brazil, particularly in São Paulo, in Mexico and Mexico City, and in the USA, as exemplified by New York State.