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The Rise of Populism: A Revolt Against the Liberal Elite

Will Ward

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Published in The Next American Civil War: The Populist Revolt Against The Liberal Elite

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In the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the term "populism" has become increasingly ubiquitous in political discourse.

Populist leaders have risen to power around the world, from Donald Trump in the United States to Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil to Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Populists share a common message: that the traditional political establishment is corrupt and out of touch with the needs of ordinary people.

But what is populism? Is it a legitimate response to the failures of liberalism or a dangerous threat to democracy itself?

The Next American Civil War: The Populist Revolt Against the Liberal Elite

by Lee Harris

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Language	:	English
File size	:	450 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	256 pages

In his new book, The Populist Revolt Against the Liberal Elite, journalist and historian Thomas Edsall argues that populism is a response to the growing inequality and economic anxiety that has plagued many Western countries in recent decades.

Edsall writes that the liberal elite has become increasingly disconnected from the concerns of ordinary people. This disconnect has led to a sense of betrayal and anger among many voters, who feel that the system is rigged against them.

Populist leaders exploit this anger by promising to break up the establishment and restore power to the people. They often appeal to nativist sentiment and scapegoat minorities, promising to protect the nation from outsiders.

Edsall warns that populism can be a dangerous force. It can lead to authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms. However, he also argues that populism can be a force for good, if it is channeled into constructive reforms that address the legitimate grievances of ordinary people.

In this important and timely book, Edsall provides a clear-eyed and insightful analysis of the rise of populism around the world. He offers a nuanced understanding of this complex phenomenon, and he shows how it can be both a threat and an opportunity for democracy.

Key Themes in The Populist Revolt Against the Liberal Elite

The rise of populism is a response to the growing inequality and economic anxiety that has plagued many Western countries in recent decades.
The liberal elite has become increasingly disconnected from the concerns of ordinary people, leading to a sense of betrayal and anger among many voters.
Populist leaders exploit this anger by promising to break up the establishment and restore power to the people.
They often appeal to nativist sentiment and scapegoat minorities, promising to protect the nation from outsiders.
Populism can be a dangerous force, but it can also be a force for good if it is channeled into constructive reforms that address the legitimate grievances of ordinary people.