Populism is a political stance that emphasizes the idea of "the people" and often juxtaposes this group with "the elite". It is a tactic that has long been used around the world to gain and maintain power. Populism is difficult to definitively characterize, but one helpful definition describes it as “reflecting a deep suspicion of the prevailing establishment, which is believed to conspire against the people instead of working in their interests” . Some key characteristics of populism include:
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The people vs. the elite: Populism often pits "the people" against a perceived elite or establishment.
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Anti-pluralism: Populists tend to exclude others at the level of party politics and the citizenry themselves.
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Charismatic leader: Populist politics often revolve around a charismatic leader who claims to embody the will of the people.
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Suspicion of the establishment: Populists are often critical of political representation and anything that mediates the relation between the people and their leader or government.
Populism can be associated with both left-wing and right-wing movements, and it can be democratic or authoritarian. Populist parties can be anywhere on the political spectrum, but most successful populists today are on the right, particularly the radical right. The term "populism" is exceptionally vague and refers in different contexts to a bewildering variety of phenomena.
