Selective Protection and the Roots of Populism in Capitalism

In this episode, I explore the rise of hard-right populist parties and the paradox at their core: voters under economic strain accept short-term benefits while surrendering long-term rights and opportunities. We trace how capitalism generates inequality, how inequality fuels populism, and how populism reshapes democracy into a system of selective protection. The essay examines Poland, Hungary, and France as case studies, and considers the broader structural loop: capitalism → inequality → populism → authoritarian drift.

For more essays and reflections, visit www.wernermouton.com.

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What is Political Economy?

This podcast examines how economic and political systems are built—and who pays the price.

Each episode traces the institutional logics, historical patterns, and political interests shaping global life.

But beneath the analysis lies a conviction: these systems are not inevitable.

We live inside structures that were designed—and can be reimagined.

Political Economy offers a space not just for understanding the world, but for refusing its false necessities.