Bas Erlings

Geef mij nu je angst

How populists manipulate and scare us

Tue 22 Sep '26 20:15

Tue 22 Sep '26

20:15

Tue 22 Sep '26

20:15

Kleine zaal

From Wed 6 May '26 13:00

Give me your fear now. That is what populists do. They don't ask for your vote, they ask for your feelings. Your unease, your anger, your insecurity. Your fear is their fuel: the more they get of it, the stronger they become. This performance ensures that you have a grip on this, not fear.

Why do populist leaders have such strong appeal? Bas Erlings demonstrates how fear is one of the most powerful political tools of our time. As a former campaign strategist in Dutch politics, he knows how political narratives are constructed and why they work. Step by step, Bas dissects the mechanism behind populism. How emotions are mobilized. How divisions are amplified. And why this strategy is so effective. Not because people are stupid, but because we are human.

'Give Me Your Fear Now' is a sharp, accessible, and sometimes confronting theatrical lecture that helps you better understand what is happening around us. For those who understand the game no longer need to be its plaything. At the end of the evening, Bas gives you something back: not fear, but control.

About Bas Erlings
Bas Erlings is a campaign strategist, author, and a sharp interpreter of politics and human behavior. For years, he was at the heart of the VVD election campaigns led by Mark Rutte. Today, he is co-owner of the strategic consultancy firm Sue & The Alchemists, which advises organizations, CEOs, and international campaigns. Together with Klaas Dijkhoff, he also founded the action group Voor Ons Nederland.

Bas is a sought-after commentator on talk shows, radio, and in newspapers. His book 'Het spel van de populist' became a bestseller; a new book, together with Klaas Dijkhoff, will be published soon.

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