Modern Micropolitics of Antipopulism: Rethinking Discourse and Empathy

In recent years, the debate on right-wing populism has led to numerous calls for the defense of liberal democracy, especially in Germany. The question of the extent to which liberal democracy depends on certain values, attitudes, and behavior has been raised from various sides. This article analyzes this public debate by focusing on publications that formulate recommendations for dealing with right-wing populists. These texts not only reflect on the possibilities and limits of rational debate between citizens but also promote an ideal of the good liberal democrat. The interventions can thus be understood as contemporary codes of conduct that contain elements of social and democratic theories and translate them into practical considerations. Ultimately, they represent a kind of self-undermining post-Habermasian discourse ethics.