Populism as a political ideology propagates the will of common people against the elite class in a society. Thus, populism actually brings common people against the elites by labeling them as the comrades of evil. Despite the etymological definition of populism, regarded as the beacon of class conscience, it was once perceived as a panacea in political systems. After the Renaissance in Europe, populism was conceived as an essence of democratic principles and a liberator from elitism. Later in the 18th century, it was seen as a defiance of democratic norms and liberal political cultures in the West. However, populism remained in existence throughout the 19th and 20th century in one form or the other. It continued to receive both criticism and praise by various nations, depending on their political cultures.
The question that has always pressed the academia and political philosophers, is the relation between populism and democracy. Democracy has developed into its present state as the result of centuries of western progressivism and liberal values. Thus, it is placed in high regard in the western sphere of the world and humanity has witnessed utmost efforts by the West to establish liberal democracy everywhere in the world. Populism, once considered the essence of democracy, is now presented as a threat to it. And the rising populism witnessed in the contemporary world is, in fact, a threat to democracy.
Populist leaders and populist cultures have continued to grow at a fast pace in recent times. From Latin America to Europe, from Central Asia to the East Indies, from North to South, populism today has become a panacea. Populist leaders project themselves as the liberators of the common citizenry from the subjugation of elites. They play on the socio-political and economic prejudices of the common citizenry and present themselves as the voices of the masses. They propagate the inevitability of taking over elites and bring social order in the society. They function on the instincts and inherent desire of common people to expand their political base. Hence, we see populism is growing like a wildfire and sweeping across countries in every continent of the world.
Populism is continuously growing throughout the world due to the fact that democracy as an ideology has weakened. Democracy is seen as an impediment and not an imperative today. The failures of democratic systems are propagated as the failure of democracy itself. This notion is, however, based on a false premise and merely propaganda. The rising autocracy and populism are a threat to the global sociopolitical order and if democracy is not reinvigorated through collective efforts of humanity, the globalized world will find itself in an existential crisis.
Populism and populist leaders are responsible for erosion of democratic institutions in the world today. They substitute themselves as the sole alternative for progress and development. The celebrity cult culture, once embodied by Hollywood stars, is now cultivated by populist leaders. The late Venezuelan former President, Hugo Chavez, a perfect example of populist leader, presented to its people as a celebrity. He ran TV shows to create for himself a stardom and at the same time continued victimization of his political opposition.
Populism has resulted in the rise of autocracy across the world. Although Western Liberal democracy, once seen as the final stage of politics throughout the world, is now seen succumbing to rising autocracy in many countries. Turkey, once considered the epitome of strong democratic institutions, gave itself away to Tayyab Erdogan, who brought socio-religious populism in the country. Erdogan, now considered an autocrat, continues to topple the democratic institutions of Turkey to perpetuate his protracted rule.
Populism has also strengthened the phenomenon of nationalism in many countries. The target of growing nationalism is established against foreign nations and globalization. Populist leaders use nationalism as a tool to cultivate their political success and on that foundation, continue their populist policies.
Narendra Modi and his political party BJP, are considered as populist and ultra-Nationalist. In order to establish their firm rule in India, Modi and BJP used nationalism as a weapon and thus eroded the secular image of India. Modi has built his base on Hindu and Hindutva ideology and is considered as a classic example of populism. Similarly, Donald Trump caused tremendous damage to the socio-political fabric of American society, which is considered as an upholder of democracy.
In short, populism finds its way through the structural flaws of democracy and democratic institutions. The essentials of democracy become the tools of populist cultures. Populist leaders sway the electorate, bring in technocracy, weaken the governance and accountability, bulldoze the legislature, cultivate media optics, create poor policies and impede economic activities. They weaken the democratic institutions, bureaucratize the executive, victimize political opposition, increase corruption and evade political commitments.
Their only focus is to continue revitalizing class consciousness through public speeches and mouldilng public opinions. Populism also disintegrates pluralism in a society by damaging the essence of social diversity. It creates polarization and bipartisanship in the country. All these and related factors contain the seed of destruction for democratic stability and political integrity in a country.
Populism is continuously growing throughout the world due to the fact that democracy as an ideology has weakened. Democracy is seen as an impediment and not an imperative today. The failures of democratic systems are propagated as the failure of democracy itself. This notion is, however, based on a false premise and merely propaganda. The rising autocracy and populism are a threat to the global sociopolitical order and if democracy is not reinvigorated through collective efforts of humanity, the globalized world will find itself in an existential crisis.
