Nationalism vs Populism
Nationalism holds that people who share a national identity should govern themselves and that loyalty to the nation should take priority over other group or international interests.
- Nations are real and meaningful communities that deserve recognition.
- Each nation has a right to self-determination and, ideally, its own state.
- Loyalty to the nation should come before loyalty to international bodies.
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.
- Nationalism: petals and stars
- Populism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Culture50 points apart
Nationalism: National identity (strong). Populism: National identity (moderate).
- Structure40 points apart
Nationalism: Central (moderate). Populism: Central (mild).
- Morality30 points apart
Nationalism: Traditional (moderate). Populism: Traditional (mild).
- Foreign policy30 points apart
Nationalism: Strength (strong). Populism: Strength (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Trade · 10 apart
- Technology · 10 apart
- Security · 10 apart
Axis by axis
Populism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipMild: Private45%55%PublicPrivate
- MarketsBalanced50%50%PlannedFree
- WelfareMild: Shared55%45%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Strong leader35%65%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Order30%70%LibertyOrder
- StructureModerate: Central25%75%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Traditional30%70%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionMild: Religious40%60%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Caution45%55%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: National identity8%92%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeModerate: Protected20%80%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Strength18%82%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Nationalism or Populism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Nationalism or Populism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Nationalism vs Populism
What is the difference between Nationalism and Populism?
Nationalism holds that people who share a national identity should govern themselves and that loyalty to the nation should take priority over other group or international interests. 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 culture, structure, morality.
What do Nationalism and Populism have in common?
Their positions are closest on trade, technology, security. Overall their profiles are a 88% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Nationalism 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.