What is Populism?
Populism is one of the most widely used and debated terms in political science. In the influential definition of the political scientist Cas Mudde, it is a thin-centered ideology: it sees society as split into two opposing groups, the pure people and the corrupt elite, and argues that politics should express the general will of the people. Because it says little about economics or social policy on its own, populism usually attaches to a fuller ideology, producing left-wing populism, right-wing populism and other forms. Other scholars define populism instead as a political style, a way of speaking, or a strategy by which a leader mobilizes followers directly.
Core beliefs
- 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.
- Direct democracy, referendums and strong popular leaders can return power to the people.
- Checks that block the majority, such as courts or unelected bodies, are often viewed with suspicion.
- Political conflict is a moral struggle between the people and those who betray them.
History
The word populism is linked to two nineteenth century movements. In Russia, the Narodniks of the 1860s and 1870s, from the word narod meaning people, sought to awaken the peasantry. In the United States, the People's Party of the 1890s, backed by farmers in the South and Midwest, called for a graduated income tax, unlimited coinage of silver and public ownership of railroads, and it supported William Jennings Bryan in 1896 before declining. In the twentieth century, Latin American leaders such as Juan Perón in Argentina and Getúlio Vargas in Brazil built populist movements around organized labor and nationalism. From the 1980s and especially after the 2008 financial crisis, populist parties grew across Europe and the Americas.
Variants
Right-wing populism usually defines the people in national or cultural terms and targets immigration, globalization and liberal elites. Left-wing populism defines the people mainly as workers and the poor and targets economic elites and austerity. Latin American populism has often combined nationalism, a strong president and labor support. Some movements, such as Italy's Five Star Movement, have mixed positions from left and right. The theorist Ernesto Laclau argued that populism is a normal logic of democratic politics.
Criticisms
Liberal critics argue that populism is in tension with pluralism, because it claims that only one group truly represents the people and treats opponents as illegitimate. Political scientists such as Jan-Werner Müller warn that populist governments may weaken courts, the press and minority rights. Economists point to cases where populist policies led to unsustainable spending and inflation. Defenders argue that populism can give a voice to groups ignored by mainstream parties and act as a corrective to unresponsive elites.
In practice
Populist parties and leaders have governed in many countries, on both the left and the right, with very different policies. Their records range from expanding social programs and voter participation to concentrating executive power and clashing with independent institutions. Researchers continue to debate whether populism is mainly a threat to liberal democracy, a symptom of its problems, or both.