Jacksonian Democracy vs Populism
Jacksonian democracy was the 1820s to 1840s American movement around Andrew Jackson, combining majority rule for white men, limited federal government, hostility to banks and westward expansion.
- Political power should rest with the majority of ordinary voters rather than a trained elite.
- Government should be limited and should not grant special privileges to banks or corporations.
- Paper money and a national bank concentrate economic power and should be opposed.
Populism is a political outlook that divides society into a virtuous ordinary people and a corrupt elite, and holds that politics should express the will of the people.
- Society is divided between ordinary people and a self-serving elite.
- The people are morally right and their will should guide politics.
- Established parties, experts and institutions often serve the elite rather than the public.
- Jacksonian Democracy: petals and stars
- Populism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Welfare90 points apart
Jacksonian Democracy: Self-reliant (moderate). Populism: Shared (mild).
- Markets70 points apart
Jacksonian Democracy: Free (moderate). Populism: Planned (mild).
- Ownership55 points apart
Jacksonian Democracy: Private (moderate). Populism: Balanced.
- Structure55 points apart
Jacksonian Democracy: Local (moderate). Populism: Central (mild).
★ Where they are closest
- Technology · 0 apart
- Security · 5 apart
- Authority · 10 apart
Axis by axis
Populism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Private25%75%PublicPrivate
- MarketsModerate: Free23%77%PlannedFree
- WelfareModerate: Self-reliant20%80%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityModerate: Strong leader33%67%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Order33%67%LibertyOrder
- StructureModerate: Local73%27%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Traditional20%80%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionMild: Religious35%65%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Caution40%60%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: National identity18%82%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeBalanced50%50%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyModerate: Strength20%80%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Jacksonian Democracy or Populism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Jacksonian Democracy or Populism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Jacksonian Democracy vs Populism
What is the difference between Jacksonian Democracy and Populism?
Jacksonian democracy was the 1820s to 1840s American movement around Andrew Jackson, combining majority rule for white men, limited federal government, hostility to banks and westward expansion. Populism is a political outlook that divides society into a virtuous ordinary people and a corrupt elite, and holds that politics should express the will of the people. On the 12 axes they differ most on welfare, markets, ownership.
What do Jacksonian Democracy and Populism have in common?
Their positions are closest on technology, security, authority. Overall their profiles are a 77% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Jacksonian Democracy or Populism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.