WHAT IS POPULISM?

 WHAT IS POPULISM?

• Populism regime consist of the government who claim to implement common will of the people mainly the interest of majority undermining the minorities.
• Populism has became popular since the rise of right-wing governments in America, India, Brazil, Japan, South Korea etc.
•  We will trace the history of populism and try to see the evolution of populist government.
• Before this, Let us see the Features or Characteristics of Populist Regime.

Features of Populist Regimes

This feature may vary from one populist regime to another in degree, however, nonetheless, they are similar.

1. Generally, elections are free and fair, the leader in power does not usually manipulate the electoral process. However, there are certain instances where the leader is alleged of manipulating the results. The most exciting part of the elections is that they are fought on the emotional agenda, rather than the agenda of development religion, caste, race play vital roles in elections.
2. They have strong, mature, and well-defined political institutions and processes. But sometimes they are overlooked in the name of implementing the common will of people. Populist leaders often claim that people are more important than democratic institutions.
3. Populist Regimes are often marked by charismatic leaders in power, who make exuberant promises to capture the power.
4. Equality is given to both majority and minority in political participation and representation. However, the government is more concerned about the interest of the majority.
5. The populist regime is marked by the fact that the political party in power is a wing ring conservative or reactionary party.
6. Equal individual and social rights are given to both majority and minority populations as per the constitution or the law book, however violation of minority rights is common in populist regimes.
7. Judiciary is independent and impartial, however leader in power sometimes tries to interfere with the judiciary.
8. Opposition is generally weak in the populist regime, the ruling party always tries to portray them as traitors or corrupt, they are portrayed as incompetent and against the common will.
9. Media is free and freedom of the press is available in populist regimes. However, they are often influenced by ruling populist leaders.

History of Evolution of Populist Regimes

 1. Rejection of autocratic rule.---- WW-2, Hitler, Mussolini.
 2. Liberal Democracy---

a). Multiculturalism
b). Compromise on common interest.
C). Rule of Law through institutions.

3. Dissatisfaction in people mainly majority, Political corruption, economic inequality, and distrust of traditional political parties.
4. New Leader charisma --- able to convince majority- --- exploit emotions.
5. Rise of Populist Government. 1981- PASOK ----Andreas Papandreou.

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