ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author argues that, despite his concern about the proliferation of optimism/progress discourses, the damage inflicted on the reader by the forces of right-wing populism represents a far more serious threat to ethical life, and to their well-being. While it true that there is a genuine concern among right-wing populists about the erosion of traditional ways of life and cultural values, the main purpose of the ‘distraction policy’ which they pursue is to ensure the protection of an economic system which allows for further corporate enrichment. In the context of the author argument, the point to note is that this strategy works.
