Populism and Accountability: Interdisciplinary Researches on Active Citizenship

This book takes into consideration the development of different forms of populism in various countries with democratic political systems over the past two decades. Despite the diversity existing between current populisms, common elements have emerged: the tendency to diminish the role of political representation, the centrality of the ＂charismatic leader,＂ the nationalistic idealization of ＂people＂ that undermine international agreements. How do these phenomena affect the instruments, rules, and culture of democracy? Why does populism receive strong acclaim? How can leaders respond to the real needs that can be at the basis of populisms without abandoning democratic principles?

Using an interdisciplinary approach which emphasizes accountability and responsibility, this book addresses these and other issues facing current and future corporate leaders. The chapters offer suggestions on how to choose between major worthy causes, how to effectively measure the outcomes of social responsible action, and how to navigate the challenges of accountability. Providing practical tools to combat the root of populism in business and community, this book is intended for practitioners, researchers, and students of business and management, politics, and other related disciplines such as public administration, social science, and the humanities.

Antonio Maria Baggio is Professor of Political Philosophy at Sophia University Institute (IUS) of Loppiano (Florence, Italy), where is he also Director of the Center for Research in Politics and Human Rights. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy).

Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli is Associate Professor of General and Applied Accounting at the University of Bologna (Italy). She has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Ancona. Her research interests include corporate social responsibility; ethical, social and environmental accounting and accountability; sustainability in tourist enterprises; and responsible and accessible tourism.

Samuel O Idowu is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at London Metropolitan University (UK). His main research focuses on corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance, ethics and accounting. He has led several edited books in CSR and is the editor-in-chief of two Springer’s reference books; Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility and Dictionary of Corporate Social Responsibility.