Then & Now: Philosophy, History & Politics Populism: A Complete Guide
Jun 20, 2025
Paul Taggart, a leading expert on populism, dives deep into the complexities of this political phenomenon. He discusses how populism interacts with democracy, drawing on historical examples like the American People's Party and charismatic figures such as Huey Long. Taggart highlights the shift of populism from the fringes to mainstream politics and its implications for democratic values. He also unpacks the nuanced relationship between populism and media, emphasizing both the threats and enhancements it poses to democratic governance.
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Populism's Democratic Roots
- Populism is fundamentally tied to democracy and can't exist without it.
- It represents a recurring crisis and expression of people's sovereignty within democratic systems.
Narodniks Foreshadow Populism
- The Narodniks in 1860s Russia used pamphleteering and peasant communes to push populism.
- They showed early anti-intellectualism by promoting self-evident truths and authentic folk democracy.
U.S. People's Party Emerges
- The People's Party of America emerged from farmers' protests against railroad monopolies and unfair prices.
- It formed a grassroots coalition advocating government regulation and direct democracy reforms.
