Populism is an ‘illiberal’ political approach that emphasizes the opinions of “ordinary citizenry”, generally characterized by the promotion of a representative as the embodiment of the will of the people (Indira is India, India is Indira)[1]. By illiberal it is meant an anti-pluralist method of governing in which the populist is the sole representive of the people.
Mainly, populists are described by a charming, Weberian charismatic power which only the true citizens can identify with. To quote Robert Nixon, they appeal to a broad strip of the “silent majority”. Populism takes many forms, its association being with, rather than being an ideology on the political spectrum. Left-wing populism accentuates social and political justice, and often a hatred of the elites, whereas right-wing populism focuses mostly on anti-EU and often anti-immigration. Of course, one must not make the mistake of associating these traits with one branch or the other; they are interchangeable for the most part.
At first sight, populist leaders embody the image of ‘ordinary citizens’, they are “men of the people”. Certainly, Donald Trump, Nicolas Maduro, Marine Le Pen, are not even remotely similar to regular inhabitants within a polity. As Hugo Chavez regularly said, the populist’s intention is to be ‘a part of you’. Populist leadership often flourishes because the ‘real people’ see the figurehead as one of them, an equal: “ER will, was WIR wollen” (HE wants what WE want), thus winning the morally superior individuals[2].
As in the case of Viktor Orban, leader of Fidesz, when a populist is elected as head of a state, democratic values decrease and inequality increases. Often, the overtake of the state and of the constitution is done in such a way that prevents further democratic participation. For example, during the Coronavirus pandemic, Orban passed a law which criminalised the spreading of information which went against the government’s approach to tackling the pandemic. Of course, the stat then becomes a propaganda machine, against simple democratic values, such as free speech. The populist’s politicisation of national research facilities means that the state effectively becomes a propaganda machine in which the truth of the ‘real people’ is perpetuated. The constant use of ‘clercs’[3], that is, individuals who are kept in the state’s leash by repeated donations to their institutions no longer promote the truth, but rather a propagandised entity.
Unfortunately, populists take advantage of their power by constantly changing the constitution in favour of the ‘real people’ i.e. infringing upon the opportunities of the others. For instance, Hugo Chavez hosted a TV show named “Aló Presidente”[4] , in which ordinary citizens could phone the president and tell him what changes were, in their opinion, needed within the state. One can take in consideration this practice as intended “audience democracy” in which citizens engage in political activity mainly by watching the powerful. But, in Chavez’s case, the specific groups of citizens could influence the law in any way because the laws were “by the people, for the people and in favour of the people”. Although, this is merely a technicality, for the law is made ‘by the populist, for the populist’. By a sort of latitudinal trickle down, the ‘real’ people’s wishes are also fulfilled through the prism of the populist leader.
Populists, often feed off a need for frequent referenda therefore assuring their frustrations and resentments are being heard by the ignorant elites. Mostly, populist movements emerge from what they perceive as political injustice and inequality. In essence, its prevention can be attained only by uniting the ‘true people’ against a common enemy, which can very well be non-existent (“Elites are robbing us of our own country”, as president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro stated). The leaders of this left-wing movement claim to represent only the common people by presenting the image of an anti-establishment, anti-globalisation figure through the use of uncomplicated uplifting language (“We are the real America”, “the greatest people to have trod this earth” -George Wallace, governor of Alabama). Moreover, referenda are used to confirm the viability of populist policies. This is a political device used even by Hitler – although the comparison is misplaced – after becoming Fuhrer, close to 90% of the public said that they agree to his overtake of power.
In most cases, it is common for the populists to even host television shows, or have personal websites in which they mediatise themselves in order to corrupt more people by promising them ‘profitable’ changes. An ideal example is Beppe Grillo’s blog in which he stated his ideas and how he would act in order to achieve a “true beneficial adjustment”. Essentially, in order to truly win the people, his ‘grillini’ a section in which citizens could actively propose changes that needed to be amended was vital. As Grillo himself stated: “Folks, it works like this: You let me know and I play the amplifier”[5]. Furthermore, Grillo was not the only populist who manoeuvred this technique. Another significant example would be Donald Trump’s twitter account (2016). Accordingly, he tried to win the election by stating in his presidential campaign:” Real Americans vote for a real representative”. Of course, the internet always provides the answer we want (purposefully chosen by leaders like Grillo or Trump) in order to assure their place as “true representatives “of the state.
In conclusion, populism is a complex and multifaced phenomenon that can embody many shapes or forms (differing throughout the political spectrum). This approach arises mainly from the resentment and frustration of the populists towards the powerful. While some aspects of populism may be appealing to certain categories within the society, the overall impact on the complete polity and its democratic principles are continuously threatened. People, as reasonable and tolerant by nature should be able to promote a liberal society in which the value of diversity is respected and appreciated.
[1] Müller, J.-W. (2016). What is populism? University of Pennsylvania Press. (p. 28)
[2] Ibid, p. 27
[3] Applebaum, A. (2020). Twilight of democracy: The seductive lure of authoritarianism. Doubleday.
[4] Müller, J.-W. (2016). What is populism? University of Pennsylvania Press. (p.34)
[5] Ibid, p. 28
