Populism

With all the talk about the Mass. election represeting a populist uprising, it’s worth noting that there are many styles of populism. They all revolve around the notion that the “little guy” is being screwed by “the elites” or “the powers that be.” But what should the little guy do? Left populism says (in the most general terms) that all the little guys should band together to create radical change — to transform the system and take power away from the elites.  Right populism says (in the most general terms) that the little guys should band together to prevent change — to protect themselves against the elites by defeating all the elites’ plans to make things better.

A leader can commandeer the forces of left populism by framing his/her policies as radical changes to the status quo. A leader commandeers right populism by framing his/her policies as ways to prevent dangerous change.  Consider Obama’s main argument for health care reform:  If we do nothing, disaster looms; we must do whatever is necessary to prevent disaster. Ditto his argument for his stimulus package:  It’s the only way to prevent disaster.  Ditto his argument for sending more troops to Afghanistan: the only way to prevent a disastrous Taliban ( = Al Qaeda, he says) takeover.  A president using the language of right-wing populism should not be surprised when he gets mugged by right-wing populists.