What Is Populism?

Many intellectuals and politicians are worried about the rise of populism. Many of us have a vague idea of populism, but Müller provides a very useful clarification of what populism means. It is a very short but informative book. Populism is not a new phenomenon. However, what I found most revealing is the thesis that populism, according to the author, is neither an authentic part nor a pathology of modern democracies. Rather, ‘it is the permanent shadow of representative politics.’ He means that democracy is fragile.

In vulnerable moments, some political actors will claim to speak in the name of… show more.

A perfect book for anybody looking for a short and accessible yet very comprehensive introduction to the subject of populism.

What I particularly liked was how engaging the writing was (not a given with political scientists!) and how it offered key insights on real-world political developments, from Trump to Brexit. I found it an ideal starting point for learning more about populism and it greatly helped my own understanding of the concept.