Welcome everyone to a new chapter in the life of Byron Philo Café in 2025!

And thanks to those who have emailed and spoken to us in support of continuing in a new format. We will still search out, and welcome your suggestions for, individual speakers with professional expertise to address the group from time to time, but we will also organise ‘in-house’ discussions on thought-provoking and wide-ranging topics.

So now – to our first event, and what a moment in history to begin!
We are moving into the midst of big and alarming changes – the unpredictabilities of a Trump Presidency; the moves to the Far Right by many governments; destructive and inhumane wars – etc. Some commentators say that we are engaged in an undeclared war with the “axis of autocracy”. Departing President Joe Biden talks of “an oligarchy taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms”.

So, rather than despair let’s engage actively with each other to consider the different concepts contained in the question:

Populism. What is it, and is it a threat to Democracy?

The topic will be introduced by Christine Willmot who will start with this definition provided by Google Oxford:

Populism is a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

Some of the ‘unpicking’ concepts that the group might then discuss are:

• The difference between Populism and Popularity.
• The role of Fear and Anger in Populism.
• The concept of ‘Othering’ – who decides who are the ‘real’ people? (Think about ‘othering’ during The Voice referendum and current situations relating to asylum seekers and the Gaza war.)
• Look at who, among Australian politicians, could be seen as ‘populist’?

If anyone at this stage would like to volunteer to lead a table discussion on one of these ‘unpicking concepts’ please let us know. Otherwise, we can decide on the night how to organise the groups.