Five Star Movement

Definition

The Five Star Movement (Movimento 5 Stelle or M5S) is a populist, anti-establishment political party in Italy that rejects traditional political ideologies. It emerged as a significant political force in the early 2010s, advocating for direct democracy, environmentalism, and anti-corruption measures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Five Star Movement was founded in 2009 by the comedian Beppe Grillo and the web strategist Gianroberto Casaleggio.
2. The party's core principles include environmentalism, sustainable development, and the use of the internet and digital technologies to facilitate direct democracy.
3. The Five Star Movement has been critical of traditional political parties, the European Union, and mainstream media, which it sees as part of the establishment.
4. In the 2018 Italian general election, the Five Star Movement became the largest single party in the Italian Parliament, leading to a coalition government with the League party.
5. The party's success has been attributed to its ability to tap into the frustrations of Italian citizens with the perceived corruption and inefficiency of the political establishment.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Five Star Movement's rejection of traditional political ideologies relates to the concept of 'Political Ideologies That Reject Political Ideology'.
  • The Five Star Movement's rejection of traditional political ideologies, such as left-wing and right-wing ideologies, aligns with the concept of 'Political Ideologies That Reject Political Ideology'. The party's populist, anti-establishment stance and emphasis on direct democracy and environmentalism suggest a departure from the traditional left-right political spectrum, instead advocating for a more pragmatic, issue-based approach that does not adhere to a specific ideological framework.
• Analyze how the Five Star Movement's principles and goals relate to the limits of political parties, as discussed in the topic 'What Are the Limits of Parties?'.
  • The Five Star Movement's focus on direct democracy and its criticism of traditional political parties suggest a potential challenge to the limits of traditional political parties. By advocating for increased citizen participation and bypassing the traditional party structure, the Five Star Movement may be pushing the boundaries of what is typically expected from a political party. This raises questions about the role of political parties in a democracy and the extent to which they can effectively represent the diverse interests of the electorate.
• Evaluate the impact of the Five Star Movement's rise on the Italian political landscape, particularly in the context of 'Scientific Socialism, Burkeanism, and Religious Extremism'.
  • The emergence of the Five Star Movement, with its rejection of traditional political ideologies, has had a significant impact on the Italian political landscape. Its populist, anti-establishment stance and emphasis on direct democracy can be seen as a departure from the traditional political ideologies discussed in the topic 'Political Ideologies That Reject Political Ideology', such as Scientific Socialism, Burkeanism, and Religious Extremism. The party's success in the 2018 election and its subsequent role in forming a coalition government has challenged the traditional power structures and dynamics within the Italian political system, potentially reshaping the way political parties operate and the way citizens engage with the political process.

Related terms

Populism:

A political approach that appeals to the interests and concerns of ordinary people, often in opposition to an elite establishment.

Direct Democracy: A form of democracy in which political decisions are made directly by the people rather than through elected representatives.

Anti-Establishment: A stance that is opposed to the traditional power structures and institutions of a society.