This edition of the Jericho Times is co-created with Counterpoint – the European Think Tank exploring political movements and future directions for civil society and the common good. Guest Editor is Catherine Fieschi, Counterpoint Director, partner at Jericho Chambers and author of the recently published Populocracy: The Tyranny of Authenticity and the Rise of Populism. This is very much a book for our times – a powerful and important read.

At a time when the problems we face as a society (climate change, security threats, migration and mass demographic shifts – among others) require the highest possible levels of collaboration, solidarity and collective strength, populism trades in the very opposite: pulling up the draw-bridges and battening down the hatches.

Populism stigmatises all elites as self-serving, untrustworthy, and incompetent – be they academics, politicians, journalists, experts, or bankers – while putting everyone else (The People) on a pedestal. However, we run into trouble when we start to disagree about what counts as "The People". Is it about a simple majority? Is it about those who have been around longest? Is it about those who pay the most taxes? Or are most useful?

A starting point for further discussion throughout 2020 and beyond, this collection of nine short essays from Jericho friends, clients and partners explore what Populism really means; its relevance today in its many guises; the consequences for and response from institutions; and how to fight back.

Here is a taste of what's inside...

Catherine Fieschi explores the paradoxes of populism – “the worst form of democracy” – and how to fight back.

As purpose-led businesses take centre-stage, Robert Phillips, Founder of Jericho Chambers and Charles Wookey, CEO of Blueprint for Better Business, ask to whom should business leaders be accountable – and for what?

We might not be as divided as we think we are: Ben Page, CEO, IpsosMORI, gives us reasons to be optimistic.

We hope you enjoy the essays and, as ever, welcome your feedback and participation. Thank you, too, for being part of the extended Jericho community. Together – as they say – we can be the change for good.