Populism
The people's voice against the powers that be β may be mob rule, even when created by the powers that be.
How We Say It
popΒ·yooΒ·lizΒ·Ιm
Where It Comes From
Latin populus β the people. The American Populist Party emerged in the 1890s as a farmers' movement against railroad monopolies and financial elites β a specific left-wing movement with specific economic demands. The generic use of 'populism' as a style came later.
How It's Been Used
Populism now describes both left and right political movements that claim to represent 'the people' against 'the elite' β so broad it has nearly lost descriptive power. Academics debate whether populism is a thin ideology, a political style, or a rhetorical strategy. The one constant: its definition of 'the people' always excludes someone.