An Introduction to Populism

What is Populism? 

In previous years, the term "populism" has become extremely recurring in political discussions, often used to describe leaders and movements that disrupt the normal status quo. But what exactly does populism mean? To keep it simple, populism is a political strategy that puts “the people” against “the elite.” Populism thrives on a straightforward yet powerful narrative: society is divided into two groups, one virtuous and ignored (the people) and the other corrupt and privileged (the elite). 

Unlike certain ideologies such as conservatism or socialism, populism is not tied to a certain set of beliefs. Instead, it can differ a lot, appearing across the whole political spectrum. On the left, it might focus more on wealth inequality and greed, while on the right, it often addresses issues like immigration, national sovereignty, and cultural identity. What unites all populist movements though is the claim to represent the true will of what the people want. 

The Rise of Populism 

Populism isn’t exactly a new phenomenon, but the resurgence of it in the 21st century has transformed global politics. From Donald Trump’s world-famous “Make America Great Again” campaign/slogan in the United States to Marine Le Pen’s very nationalist views in France and Viktor Orban’s reign in Hungary, populist leaders have been getting more and more important in the last few years by presenting themselves as outsiders who will challenge these entrenched power structures. 

This resurgence can be linked to a very much growing sense of disillusionment among people worldwide. Economic inequality, political scandals, and the failure of traditional parties to address pressing issues have created a fertile ground for big populist narratives. In Europe, movements like Brexit were fueled by frustrations with globalization issues and decision-making in Brussels. Meanwhile, in countries like Brazil and India, populism has tapped into national pride and cultural tensions to gain mass appeal and approval from the citizens. 

Why is Populism So Powerful? 

The strength of populism is in its simplicity. Very difficult issues, no matter if they are economic, social, or cultural—are boiled down to messages that are pretty easy to understand. A person who is a populist might argue that economic hardship is single- handedly caused by corrupt elites or that immigration policies are to blame for unemployment. These explanations, while often oversimplified, do resonate with people who are feeling unheard or marginalized. 

Moreover, populist leaders often use a lot of emotionally charged language to connect with their audience. By positioning themselves as “one of you,” they can give you a sense of trust and they can show shared struggle with their followers. This approach can be very effective, especially in times of crisis when people are looking for someone to put the blame on and someone to lead. 

The Main Populist Thinkers

There are a lot of populist thinkers in this world, some of the main populist thinkers include figures like 

Paul Taggart, Francisco Panniza and Cas Mudde. Paul Taggart is a Professor of Politics at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. He focuses on comparative politics and his research mostly focused on populism and eurosceptisism. He also was a former editor of the journal 'Government and Opposition', one of the leading global comparative politics journals in the world. He has also appeared on local BBC radio channels to talk about politics. 

Born in Montevideo, Ururguay, Francisco Panniza is a Professor in Latin American and comparative politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. With an MA and a PhD from the University of Essex under his belt, he has also been using is his key expertise about populism as a co-editor for the Routledge Group book series 'Conceptualizing Comparative Poltics'. 

Born in Geldrop, The Netherlands, Cas Mudde is Stanley Wade Shelton Professor of International Affairs at the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs in Athens, Georgia, USA. He has an MA and PhD in Politcal Science at the University of Leiden. He has als0 published multiple books about populism and extremism, like 'Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe. He also is a co-founder for the Standing Group on Extremism and Democracy in the European Consortium for Politcial Research (ECPR).

Because they are all expertised on the matter of populism, and have all given lectures about the topic at multiple famous Universities around the world, making all of them well renowned figures when it comes to research and lecturing about populism.

The Risks of Populism 

While populism can empower communities and highlight real grievances, it also comes with a lot of risks. By promoting an “us versus them” mentality, it can cause even bigger divides within society. In some of these cases, populist leaders have been undermining democratic institutions by concentrating power and dismissing checks and balances as obstacles to the will of the people. 

Still, populism is not inherently good or bad for that matter. Its impact depends on how it is used and whether it respects democratic principles. What is clear, however, is that populism is here to stay for a long time, and understanding populism is crucial to navigating the political landscape of today. 

Nathan Bos