Populism: Critical Analysis

Introduction

Populism refers to the popular engagement of the population in political decision-making. However, generally used synonymously with demagogy, to describe politicians who present simplistic answers to complex questions in a highly emotional manner,

Populism is also equated with opportunism, to characterize politicians who seek to please voters without rational considerations. Some use it for governments that engage in substantial public spending financed by foreign loans, resulting in hyperinflation & emergency measures

Ben Stanley mentions 4 distinct but interrelated concepts:

1. Existence of two homogeneous units of analysis: ‘the people’ &’ the elite’.
2. Antagonistic relationship between people & elite.
3. Popular sovereignty.
4. Positive valorisation of ‘people’ and denigration of ‘elite’

C. Origins of Term Populism

The term populism came into use in the late 19th century alongside the promotion of democracy. In the USA, it was closely associated with the People’s Party, while in the Russian Empire, it was linked to the agrarian socialist Narodnik movement.

In the 1960s, it became increasingly popular to describe various political parties active in liberal democracies. In the 21st century, the term became increasingly common in political discourse to describe left-wing, right-wing, & centrist groups that challenged the established parties.

When in office in liberal democracies, populists have often been responsible for democratic backsliding, “democratic erosion” or “de-democratization” — as they undermine independent institutions like the media or judiciary which they consider hostile to the “will of the people”.

D. Conditions Conducive for Emergence of Populism

It flourishes in periods when large numbers of citizens of a country feel that the game is rigged against them. They aren’t wretched of the earth; they’re people with a sense of violated ownership

Like fascists, these people hold a vision of an earlier, better country that has come under threat, characterised by a desire to assert domestic sovereignty. It is a rejection of the conventional wisdom by citizens who feel left behind by globalisation trends favouring the elite

E. Features of Populism

1. Rhetoric than Ideology: To some, populism is an ideology that considers society to be ultimately separated into two homogeneous & antagonistic groups: “the pure people” &“the corrupt elite”, and argues that politics should be an expression of the general will

However, to others, Populism is a stance and rhetoric more than an ideology or a set of positions. it can ignite reform or reaction, idealism or scapegoating. It speaks of a battle of good against evil, demanding simple answers to difficult problems.

A populist offers no idea beyond himself, the leader who can reverse the country’s decline by sheer force of personality. Think Trump: “Trade? We’re gonna fix it. Health care? We’re gonna fix it.” China, the Islamic State, immigrants, unemployment, Wall Street: just let him handle it

2. Anti-politics: A populist is suspicious of normal bargaining & compromise that constitute democratic governance. He rejects or rises above the unlovely business of politics & government, incites his audiences’ contempt for the very notion of solving problems through political means

3. Conspiracy Bent: Populism can have a conspiratorial and apocalyptic bent — the belief that the country, or at least its decent majority, is facing imminent ruin at the hands of a particular group of malefactors (Mexicans, billionaires, Jews, politicians)

4. Seal of Authenticity: A populist’s rhetoric is so crude and from the hip that his fans are continually reassured about its authenticity. Followers prize their man’s willingness to articulate what ordinary people feel but politicians fear to say.

5. Direct Rapport: Having no history of party loyalty enhances a populist’s street credibility. His authority comes from a direct bond with their supporters, free of institutional interference. He rails against foreign-trade deals, political class, dirty money, corruption, etc

F. Benefits of Populism

1. Populism brings to the fore issues that large parts of the population care about, but that the political elites want to avoid discussing; immigration, unemployment, foreign powers’ domination, corruption, and injustices.
2. Political scientist Ernesto Laclau presents populism as an emancipatory social force through which marginalised groups challenge dominant power structures.
3. Populists may fail to win the national election but extend the parameters of discourse and bring about important reforms
4. To Mexican political theorist Benjamin Arditi,

“populism behaves like the drunken guest at a dinner party, who doesn’t respect the rules of public contestation but spells out the painful but real problems of society.”

G. Disadvantages of Populism

1. De-legitimises Opponents: Populism is a monist and moralist ideology, which denies the existence of divisions of interests and opinions within “the people” and rejects the legitimacy of political opponents.
2. Polarised Political Culture: As the populist is the voice of all the people, anyone with a different view speaks for “special interests”. Given that the key distinction is between the pure people and the corrupt elite, any compromise would lead to the corruption of the people.
3. Ineffective Government: Populism tends to get ugly when it gets into power. If it has to share power with non-populists, the effects, positive or negative, tend to be small. Even when populists dominate the government, they cannot make compromises with the opposition
4. Flawed Public Policy Formulation: When in power, populists attempt to substitute facts and empirical foundations with conviction as a basis for public policy, leading to faulty public policies with suboptimal outcomes.
5. Institutional Decay: Populism threatens the independence of impartial institutions that safeguard the national interest by terming them as bad guys opposing good guys. This weakening of institutional frameworks runs the risk of promoting instability

(From my book “International Relations: Basic Concepts & Global Issues”, available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QZSRWT1)