Populist movements arise almost exclusively in political systems with some degree of democratic/e... more Populist movements arise almost exclusively in political systems with some degree of democratic/electoral participation. They mobilize members of a class—often some segment of the middle class rather than the poorest of the poor-of the citizenry in protest against the status quo. Those who protest feel politically marginalized and/or economically disadvantaged or held back by a privileged, self-serving political or economic elite. Typically, populists self-identify as the " virtuous and homogeneous segment of the sovereign people pitted against conspiracies and plots by elites and " dangerous 'others' " , who are depicted as " depriving (or attempting to deprive) the people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity, and voice". " The central tenet of populism is that democracy should reflect the pure and undiluted will of the people; therefore, it can sit easily with ideologies of both right, center and left " depending on time, place and circumstances. Populist movements may challenge existing political parties either by attempting to supplant them or take them over. What distinguishes Populism from revolutionary movements is: 1. the absence of a coherent, systematic world-view with a blueprint for the radical restructuring of society; 2. the absence of a call to overthrow the existing political order by violence.
Populist movements arise almost exclusively in political systems with some degree of democratic/e... more Populist movements arise almost exclusively in political systems with some degree of democratic/electoral participation. They mobilize members of a class—often some segment of the middle class rather than the poorest of the poor-of the citizenry in protest against the status quo. Those who protest feel politically marginalized and/or economically disadvantaged or held back by a privileged, self-serving political or economic elite. Typically, populists self-identify as the " virtuous and homogeneous segment of the sovereign people pitted against conspiracies and plots by elites and " dangerous 'others' " , who are depicted as " depriving (or attempting to deprive) the people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity, and voice". " The central tenet of populism is that democracy should reflect the pure and undiluted will of the people; therefore, it can sit easily with ideologies of both right, center and left " depending on time, place and circumstances. Populist movements may challenge existing political parties either by attempting to supplant them or take them over. What distinguishes Populism from revolutionary movements is: 1. the absence of a coherent, systematic world-view with a blueprint for the radical restructuring of society; 2. the absence of a call to overthrow the existing political order by violence.
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