Populism
Learn about populism — the political approach that frames society as a struggle between 'the people' and corrupt elites, and its resurgence in the 21st century.
Populism is a political approach that frames society as divided between 'the people' — ordinary, virtuous citizens — and a corrupt elite that has betrayed them. It appears across the political spectrum, from left-wing populism focused on economic inequality to right-wing populism centered on cultural identity and immigration. In the 21st century, populism has surged across democracies worldwide, raising fundamental questions about democratic governance.
The roots of modern populism lie in the dislocations of globalization, the 2008 financial crisis, rising inequality, and the perception that established political parties serve the interests of a cosmopolitan elite rather than ordinary citizens. Donald Trump's election in the United States, Brexit in the UK, and the rise of parties like France's National Rally, Italy's Five Star Movement, and Hungary's Fidesz reflected this populist surge.
Populism's relationship with democracy is complex. Populists claim to represent the true will of the people against self-serving elites — a critique that often contains legitimate grievances about inequality, corruption, and democratic unresponsiveness. But populism can also undermine democratic norms: attacking independent media, weakening judicial independence, delegitimizing political opponents, and conflating disagreement with betrayal. Understanding populism requires distinguishing between its valid democratic impulse and its potential to erode the institutions that make democracy work.