Guest Editorial Populism: A challenge for groupwork?

Abstract

Populism is a word of the moment. It is cited and linked withTrump’s ascendency to the presidency in the USA, Brexit in the UK,Marine Le Pen’s challenge in France, Duterte’s brutal regime in thePhilippines, to name a few. It is said to reflect a resurgence of thewill of an erstwhile excluded section of the citizenry, newly inspired,energised and empowered to ensure that their self-defined needs andinterests are taken into account and actually met by national leadersand governments. This description resonates uncannily with thedemocratic values espoused by groupwork (Abels and Garvin, 2010)and, especially those of self-directed and social action groupwork(Mullender, Ward, Fleming, 2013). Is there an issue; if so, what dowe need to consider; what might we do? I am looking to provokeresponse and debate.