Populism

usgb/ˈpɑːpjəlɪzəm/
noun

A political strategy which seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

The politician's populism earned him a lot of support among the working class.
Visual representation of "populism" - A political strategy which seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups

Often appears as...

  • rising populism
  • economic populism

Usage tips

Political

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "populism"
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Emotional Appeal

Populism often involves emotional language to connect with the public's feelings and frustrations.

Illustration for Emotional Appeal
Her spirited speeches on healthcare reflect a type of populism that resonates with many voters.
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Us vs. Them

Populism can create a divide, portraying the 'common people' against a 'corrupt elite'.

Illustration for Us vs. Them
The candidate's populism emphasized the people's struggles against the out-of-touch politicians.
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Simplification

Populism might oversimplify complex issues to make them easily understandable.

Illustration for Simplification
His populism boiled complex trade issues down to slogans that appealed to factory workers.
Visual representation of the word "Populism"

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