What is populism: concept, origin, methods

What is populism and what is its essence? We will try to understand.

Origin of the term

The concept of "populism" is of Latin origin. It is derived from the word populus - "people." Also the term "populism" refers to the French literary school of the beginning of the last century (from the French populisme). Its representatives preferred to depict folk life without embellishment. In fact, this literary trend was a kind of naturalism. But what is populism today?

Modern meaning

The term in our time is purely political, since it is in this sphere that it is used most often. Its origin is connected with the word "popular". In politics everything depends on this. But popularity can be achieved in various ways. Very often, public figures use all means and methods to enlist the support of the electorate, so this concept has a negative meaning.

What is populism? Definition

This is a conscious position or style of rhetoric aimed at forming the opinion and preferences of the masses with their help. In politics, this is a consistent line of behavior that involves the nomination of deliberately demagogic and really not feasible slogans and promises in order to keep popular popularity or achieve it.

But "populism" and "popularity" are not identical concepts. The latter is almost always used in the positive sense, as well-deserved fame. Populism, on the other hand, is the achievement of the recognition of the people by deliberately fraudulent means, through illusory promises, as well as manipulation of people's trust, values and expectations.

Synonymous with the concept of empty, unrealistic obligations. For example, many political figures in the elections give guarantees of increasing pensions, a multiple increase in wages, a significant drop in prices. Economically, such loud words are very often unreasonable, that is, they can not be performed in this situation.

Basic Methods

Having found out what populism is, let's move on to its basic methods:

• Attempts to adjust to the moods and demands of the people. For example, using the growth of anti-Caucasian trends in Russian society, many nationalist politicians put forth extremist slogans: "Russia for Russians", "Dagestanis do not belong here" and the like. At the same time, they are well aware that the Caucasus, like many other regions, is part of a multinational single country. Their inhabitants are citizens of the Russian Federation who have equal constitutional rights and freedoms throughout the state. The politicians who put forward such slogans understand this perfectly, but they continue to work in this direction to increase the support of the electorate.
• Use the mentality of the average man in the street. It's no secret that most citizens do not fully understand all the geopolitical and macroeconomic details of management. For example, you can not raise the wages or strengthen the national ruble exchange rate by waving a magic wand. But populists, using simplified formulations and a minimum of theory, agitate the masses, saying that the requirements at this stage are feasible. They even provide a phased implementation plan for their program, written in a language that is understandable to millions of people. However, they perfectly understand the futility of such promises. Their main task is to win elections and get to power.
• Speech on behalf of the common man. This intentionally created illusion of "his boyfriend from the people." Such politicians very often use popular proverbs and sayings in public speeches.
• Direct contact with voters. At such rallies and meetings, populist statements on emotional grounds are most often put forward.
• Speculation on the faith of people in the existing simple and easy way out of economic and political crises. Although politicians perfectly understand that this is impossible even theoretically, since any crisis is systemic. It leads to a serious failure of many social institutions. As a rule, the way out of the crisis is always difficult and accompanied by serious upheavals.

• Use of unsolved problems of the state in their favor.

Difference from the opposition

Based on the above methods, some citizens on the question: "What is populism?" - can answer that this is an opposition, and will be wrong. Indeed, most such politicians are not at the helm of power. But, using populism, you can quickly get to it. For example, to win elections, to discredit the current government. But it is wrong to believe that all the oppositionists are populists. In addition, many politicians who are already in power also become populists. Feeling the loss of voter confidence, they also begin to resort to such methods. But for them it is much more dangerous: unlike the oppositionists, the promises of the current authorities are perceived much more seriously, their performances are much more hopeful, and if people fail to fulfill their promises, people react more sharply to it.

Conditions for the emergence of populism

But this phenomenon does not develop from scratch. As a rule, populism takes on the greatest influence in a society where there is an economic, political or other kind of crisis. Then people are in a state of heightened anxiety and have a natural desire to get out of the difficult situation faster.

Results

So, what is populism? Social science defines it as a method of political influence, based on false promises. In particular, on the game with the confidence of voters. If every person will clearly know what populism is, know his methods, then only smart and competent leaders will come to politics. Consequently, the welfare of the state and citizens will significantly improve.