Perhaps the best and clearest recent definition comes from Daniele Albertazzi and Duncan McDonnell, who write that populism: In the wake of the recent upsurge in populist movements, there have been a number of attempts to better define what the word “populism” actually describes. Lost in the public outcry regarding populism is a deeper conflict over who matters socially, economically and politically. All sides are embroiled in an ongoing struggle to determine how to define which populations count and which do not. But despite their profound differences, they have one thing in common: they claim to represent a supposedly victimised popular majority, “the people”.Įxactly who these “people” actually are is far from clear. The left-wing movements championing greater inclusion are plainly very different from right-wing ones keen on reinforced or increased exclusion. It is therefore important not to blithely conflate different populist and grassroots movements. More ominously, it is dangerously promoting racism, sexism, xenophobia, jingoism, and attacking basic human rights around the world. Optimistically, it promises to bring about much needed change to what appears to be a corrupt political and economic order. Populism is seemingly sweeping the globe, threatening the established status quo.
