Ep. 8 - The Age of Ju-Jitsu Politics, with Catherine Fieschi

Catherine Fieschi has spent years studying one of the defining political forces of our time: populism. Founder of Counterpoint, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, and fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, she is among the sharpest observers of how democracies are challenged from within.

In this episode, we explore why populism should not be dismissed as anger, protest, or political style, but understood as a serious ideology built around majoritarianism, anti-elitism, and distrust of institutions. From the judiciary to the press, from elections to parliaments, Fieschi explains how populists reshape democratic systems while claiming to speak directly for "the people."

At the centre of the conversation is what she calls "ju-jitsu politics": populists win because they turn democratic tools against democracy itself. They use freedom of the press and social media to sell compelling stories — and that is what we ought to learn to do too.

The deeper challenge is a cultural one. And we can save democracy even by joining a choir.

With reason, not rage.

In this episode:

Why populism is an ideology, not just a style

The populist playbook and ju-jitsu politics

Why populists tell better stories

The limits of popular sovereignty

What citizens — not just "the people" — can do

Timestamps

1:15 Watch the French elections in 2027

2:45 Populism is an ideology, so take it seriously

5:45 Illiberal populists are nostalgic

8:00 The three steps in the populist playbook

9:50 What is ju-jitsu politics

12:15 The Parliament is not a TV show

15:45 The populists tell good stories

17:20 Mamdani's authenticity took it all

18:50 The limits of popular sovereignty

23:10 We are citizens, not just people

26:00 What is the way of life you really want?

29:30 The Netherlands as a laboratory

35:45 Populism is a self-fulfilling prophecy

38:00 The Conte 1 Government

41:00 Meloni has delivered nothing beyond stability

43:55 Trump is the ju-jitsu champion

47:00 "They stole my election"

49:20 Use your social media as a citizen

51:15 Build ties with those who are different from you / Join that choir!

Author and host: Ivan Scalfarotto

Editor and social media: Ludovica Taurisano

Graphic designer: Paola De Bartolo

Visual identity: Martina Santurri

Sound designer: Enrico Cabua

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