Scholarly and policy research suggests that populism can, in certain cases, contribute to the weakening of democratic institutions and protections for minority groups (e.g., analyses from the Center for a New American Security). Populist movements often claim to represent ‘the people,’ but some analyses suggest that this framing may, at times, work against that goal.
Populism is often described as a disruptive and potent political approach. It frames policy decisions and society as a battle between an uncaring or corrupt elite and the common person.
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A charismatic central figure usually champions the “general will” of the people to engender trust and solidarity. While populism can serve as an effective political tool, existing research suggests it has, in certain cases, been associated with the erosion of democratic norms. Some policy analyses indicate that populist movements can place fundamental democratic principles—such as minority rights, political opposition, and checks and balances—into jeopardy. As a result, some research suggests that, under certain conditions, populism may act as a gateway to varying degrees of authoritarianism.
However, this view oversimplifies the many applications of populism, which extend beyond cases of democratic backsliding. Populism can also function as a legitimate worldview, rather than merely a framing device for building political support.
Features of Populism
When discussing the features of populism, it is important to mention that not every case of populism will share all of these tenets. Instead, it is easier to think of these features as ‘symptoms’, not all of them need to be present for a general diagnosis.
- Anti-Elitism: Populist rhetoric portrays elites—whether social, political, or economic—as a class seeking to limit rights and enforce control. A populist figure or group may frame established institutions or figures as obstacles standing in the way of a common cause.
- Dire Narrative: A populist leader treats policy issues as existential or impending. If an alternative party or figure were to wrest power, this would take away from the will of the common people or “virtuous group”. Some analyses suggest that this sense of urgency can, in some cases, discourage deliberation and encourage more reactive decision-making.
- Simplifying Problems: Similarly to the above point, issues are simplified so that they are easier to grasp for the common person. However, this approach may risk oversimplifying issues in ways that do not fully capture their complexity.
- Us vs Them: An “us vs them” mentality is regularly pushed to give a constituency an enemy force to rally against. This is especially common in two-party systems, where the opposing party may be portrayed in strongly negative terms.
Leadership and Communication Strategies
Charismatic Leadership: Populist movements usually have a central figure. Someone who goes against the grain of the status quo, fighting for the everyman.
Challenges to Institutions: As mentioned in the introduction, institutions are a target for populism. They may be portrayed as obstacles to desired political change. The judiciary, higher education, and media are examples of institutions often targeted for change. In some cases, policies may be pursued that reduce their ability to act as checks on those in power. One example cited in political research is the replacement of key bureaucratic figures with party loyalists.
Reduced Emphasis on Pluralism: Populist movements may place less emphasis on policy priorities associated with groups outside of the majority they seek to represent.
Direct Communication: Media and other indirect mediums are often ignored in favor of direct communication through speeches, rallies, social media, and other more intimate methods. Some research suggests that removing traditional gatekeepers from the equation can allow for a stronger appeal to emotions. As a result, direct communication enables greater control over messaging, including responses to censorship or unflattering framing.
Left-wing Populism: Left-wing populism often has economic dimensions, with rhetoric splitting the working and middle class from a “rich elite” class.
Right-wing Populism: Right-wing populism will often rely on ethnic or national dimensions. Populist rhetoric pits the majority’s “common person” against minorities portrayed as working against the common will and well-being.
Why Populism Works
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A common feature of populism in practice is the use of emotional messaging. This approach may, in some cases, downplay the multidimensional or complex nature of certain issues.
Populist leaders often frame trends such as globalization or immigration as failures of governance by incumbents or as policies that only benefit elites. Research in political psychology suggests that populism is often effective in part because it engages deep emotional currents within society (as discussed in research published via ScienceDirect).
In particular, fear of unfamiliar or rapidly changing social conditions, frustration with systemic failures, and resentment toward protected elites are some of the ways a populist can create traction. Research on political behavior suggests that supporters may rally around these simplified narratives, often centered on opposition to a perceived adversary.
As a result, some political science research suggests that, under certain conditions, populism may be associated with democratic backsliding or shifts toward more centralized forms of authority.
Identity, Grievance, and Group Mobilization
Identity politics is a set of social movements or positions that can be appealed to. Examples include issues of race, gender, sexuality, and religion. Populist leaders often emphasize national sovereignty and traditional values, sometimes framing outside groups as sources of concern or tension. For right-wing populism, this can manifest as jingoism or extreme nationalism. Populist movements may draw on concerns about cultural change and nostalgia for an idealized or reinterpreted past. For left-wing populism, this can instead develop into stances against oppression. This can occur in political, social, and economic realms, or a combination thereof. Economic anxiety and perceptions of unfairness in social mobility can further bolster this. Left-wing populists also use environmental and social issues as framing devices to target an uncaring elite focused on hoarding power.
In some contexts, populist movements have contributed to increased political participation, challenged entrenched power structures, and brought attention to underrepresented concerns.
Conclusion
Populism does not necessarily define a policy philosophy that exclusively benefits the common people. Rather, it can function as a discursive strategy for building political support, depending on context and implementation. Populism does not inherently align with a single ideological outcome, nor does it belong exclusively to right-wing regimes. It exists as a way to subvert traditional, elite-controlled communication. In some cases, populism can shift from mobilizing support to shaping public perception in ways that critics view as potentially misleading.
Sources:
Center for a New American Security — “Combating Populism”
The Atlantic — “What Populists Do to Democracies”
The Loop (ECPR) — “Populist governments as a threat from within the state”
Stanford- Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies — “About The Global Populisms Project”
Brookings Institution — “Beyond left versus right, beyond elites versus populists”
ScienceDirect-Current Opinion in Psychology — “Understanding the psychological appeal of populism”
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and analytical purposes only. It presents a general overview of populism as a political concept and does not endorse or oppose any specific political party, movement, or public figure.
The views and interpretations expressed are those of the author and are based on a synthesis of publicly available academic and policy research. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and balance, populism is a complex and evolving topic, and perspectives may vary across different contexts and disciplines.
Readers are encouraged to consult multiple sources and viewpoints when forming their own understanding of the subject.
