Europe’s politics of dystopia

The rising tide of illiberalism and nationalism threatens to break up the EU. What is needed as an urgent priority are policies to boost demand, job creation and growth

The recent victory of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland confirms a recent trend in Europe: the rise of illiberal state capitalism, led by populist rightwing authoritarians. Call it Putinomics in Russia, irbanomics in Hungary, ErdoAanomics in Turkey, or a decade of Berlusconomics from which Italy is still recovering. Soon we will no doubt be seeing KaczyAskiomics in Poland.

All are variations on the same discordant theme: a nationalist leader comes to power when economic malaise gives way to chronic and secular stagnation. This elected authoritarian then starts to reduce political freedoms through tight-fisted control of the media, especially television. Then, he (so far, it has always been a man, though France's Marine Le Pen would fit the pattern should she ever come to power) pursues an agenda opposing the European Union (when the country is a member) or other institutions of supra-national governance.