Populism

"The power of the people is greater than the people in power."

Alexei Navalny

Populism is a non-quadrant ideology used to represent generic populism, without left or right connotations.

It focuses on appealing to a large amount of people and their sensibilities, believing that what the masses want must be what the masses get. This will lead to society's prosperity and the well-being of all being raised as the people guide themselves.

It can take on many forms, as its only requirement is that it represents a movement by the people for the people. This causes it to have no real political affiliation. Though often populism is associated with democracies due to its reliance on popular support.

Variants

Fusion Populism

Fusion Populism is simply a synthesis of the talking points and policies of Right-Wing Populism and Left-Wing Populism. This usually results in it taking the economic positions of the left, such as Economic Democracy and Welfarism, and combining them with the social policies of the right, such as Limited Immigration and Social Conservatism.

Moderate Fusion Populism

Moderate Fusion Populism, much like its more radical counterpart takes the talking points and policies of center-left and center-right populism. This results in advocacy for a moderate welfare state in combination with pragmatic protectionism. These economic policies are underscored with a slight conservatism.

Techno-Populism

Techno-Populism is a synthesis of Technocracy and populism. It describes a political situation where the government makes efforts to appeal to ordinary people through the scientific method and a powerful bureaucracy. So while it is populist aesthetically, it is outcome-driven (similar to Utilitarianism) and is often accused of elitist tendencies. Examples of this ideology include the "La République En Marche!" in France, Georgian Dream in Georgia, and the Five Star Movement in Italy.

History

Populism has been an ever-present force throughout history. Whenever the masses of a nation couldn't fulfil their needs, or otherwise got upset with the current state of affairs they rise up. Typically populism is within their movement, even if not the front and center ideology. Today we see its influence primarily in politicians and their rhetoric. Appeals to the sensibilities and morals of a large group in society, as well as the creation of programs or works demanded by large groups in society, are hallmarks of a populist politician.

From the Grain Dole in Rome, the many Peasant Revolts in Europe, American Independence, The Rise of Napoleon, the October Revolution in Russia, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall populism has stood throughout history. Its people-driven nature ensures that as long as there are societies in need, it will proceed onwards.

Italy

Logo of Five Star Movement

The Five Star Movement is an Italian political party. It has been the largest political party in government since 2018. They are a big-tent populist movement, having been both labeled as far-left and far-right by various media outlets because while they are generally pro-welfare including Universal Basic Income and very environmentalist, they are also moderately Euroskeptic and anti-immigration, though it was a member of the generally Right-Wing Populist EU parliament group "Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy" which was led by Nigel Farage.

Russia

Alexander Rutskoy was a Russian politician and military officer, the first and last Vice-President of Russia from 1991 to 1993 under the presidency of Boris Yeltsin, and a participant in the war in Afghanistan. His political career as vice president was marked by political conflict between the authorities and various political groups.

During the 1993 political crisis, Rutskoy found himself in opposition to Yeltsin and supported the resistance in the State Duma. This conflict culminated in the October 1993 events when clashes between Yeltsin's supporters and opponents took place in front of the Russian Government House in Moscow. After these events, Rutskoy lost his posts and retired from active politics.

He later held various positions and continued to participate in Russian political life, but his influence gradually diminished. Rutskoy remains a well-known figure in Russian politics and history of the 1990s.

Thailand

WIP

Turkey

Cem Uzan is a Turkish businessman and politician. His father, Kemal Uzan, made his fortune in the construction industry, while Cem Uzan co-founded Star TV with Ahmet Özal, the son of Turgut Özal, after Turkey allowed private broadcasting. In 2001, Cem Uzan faced a series of corruption charges, leading to lawsuits abroad. Subsequently, in 2002, he decided to establish the Young Party and run in parliamentary elections, possibly because Turkish deputies at the time had immunity from prosecution, which could protect him from similar criminal charges in Turkey.

During his campaign, Cem Uzan avoided discussing controversial topics such as EU membership. He focused on Economic Patriotism and Welfarism, such as opposition to the IMF and pledging free textbooks. He emphasized both Turkish and Muslim identity, especially the former. Therefore, in rhetoric, Cem Uzan could be considered a Right-Leaning Moderate Fusion Populist . He also criticised existing party politics and claims to supported pragmatic solutions, so he could be also considered a Centrist Populist in rhetoric. However, in its constitution, the Young Party only clearly supported Economic Liberalism, and want to full privatization, tax cut and tariff abolition.

Ultimately, Cem Uzan received 7.25% of the vote, failing to surpass the election threshold. Subsequently, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in Turkey began criminal prosecution against him. Faced with simultaneous convictions in the UK, the US, and Turkey in absentia, he fled to France to "escape political persecution", and the Young Party, under his leadership, quickly faltered. In 2004, the AKP government sold the media owned by Cem Uzan, with some of it being acquired by Islamist media organizations close to the AKP.

Ukraine

Servant of the People is a Ukrainian political party, which is holding the most seats in the Ukrainian parliament since 2019. It is characterized as radical centrist, social liberal and at first libertarian and liberal socialist. Overall, the party eventually settled on Centrism, but remains populist at its core.

SotP's former leader, Oleksandr Korniyenko said:

We are patriots and even nationalists when it comes to protecting the borders of our country. We are humanists when it comes to protecting human rights. We are libertarians when we open markets for land, alcohol, amber with transparent rights for all. We are statesmen when it comes to tax discipline. We are liberals when we defend human property and economic freedom. We are socialists when it comes to protecting and providing for pensioners, veterans, everyone who needs it.

Some of the members have even expressed pro-Russian views, but were either expelled from the party, changed their minds or immigrated to Russia after the 2022 invasion.

Personality

Populism is a bit of an Everyman, acting humble to appeal to ordinary people. However, he is actually very cunning and manipulative. Often rants about how other ideologies are neglecting the needs of the people.

How To Draw

Flag of Populism

1. Draw a ball
2. Fill it with white
3. Draw a fist in black
4. Add the eyes and you're done

Color Name		HEX	RGB
	White	#FFFFFF	rgb(255, 255, 255)
	Black	#141414	rgb(20, 20, 20)

Relationships

The People

• Right-Wing Populism - My son who prioritizes the people, not the woke socialist elite!
• Left-Wing Populism - My son who prioritizes the people, not the greedy corporate elite!
• Islamic Populism - My son who prioritizes the people, not the godless Islamophobic elite!
• Longism - Every man a king! Share the wealth!
• Lys Noir - My strange anarcho-monarchist son.
• Anti-Centrism - The people need new radical ideologies! How on earth would such a society work is anyone's guess.
• Welfare Chauvinism and Paternalistic Conservatism - You have shown me how to unite left and right populists.
• National Bolshevism - More extreme and wackier than the previous one, but I do like how Limonov and Kita had a fusion of populist rhetoric.
• Populareism - My noble father. Power to the plebs!
• Semi-Direct Democracy - Referendums will allow the people to help themselves.
• Kemalism - Thank you for including me as one of your principles or "arrows."
• Gandhian Socialism - Economic practices that harm the people shouldn’t be practiced indeed.
• Zhivkovism - You weren’t called “The man of the people” for nothing.
• Laschism - I am the only thing that satisfies your criteria of economic justice, participatory democracy, strong social cohesion, and moral rigor.
• Machiavellianism - If I keep saying the things the populace likes, I'll come to power.

Frenemies

• Democracy - Similar to me, but often results in corruption that I end up having to clear out.
• Big Tent Liberalism - Good direction. But you still give a platform to established politicians who don't really care about the people...
• Technocracy - If the people can't be trusted then no one can! However, techno-populism isn’t bad.
• Ochlocracy - Calm down will you? Do you have any sense of respect? Also, you need to elect me to help the people rather than people helping themselves.
• Autocracy - Tyrant! Abuser of power! But I sometimes become you during my fight against the elite, and me having absolute power is preferable to obstructionist collective leaders.
• Kakistocracy - An useful idiot to manipulate.
• Putinism - Both my sons kinda like you, but from very different angles. But you're an elitist and Zelensky, your current arch-enemy, is a non-specific populist.
• Neoliberalism - Both of my sons hate you for different reasons. But my Thai variant likes you and some of you are populist.
• Dengism - You damned tyrant, why did you ban me? What especially pisses me off is that you introduced the oligarchy mechanism itself! But some of the national populists among us might like you.

The Elite

• Kleptocracy - You steal people's money for your own personal gain! (What do you mean I helped you get into power?)
• Oligarchy - You are killing us! (Wait, I helped you too?! Oh god what have I done...)
• Illuminatism - This is what the elites want!!
• Globalism - Both my variants can agree that globalism/globalization is bad for the people.

Gallery

Portraits

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Comics and Artwork

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  "Non-Quad Squad" by Metbol

Further Information

Literature

Critiques

• Why Populism and Authoritarianism Go Hand in Hand by Shikha Dalmia

Wikipedia

• Populism

Parties

This list is for populist parties that present themselves as neither left- or right-wing in nature. RightPop and LeftPop parties are on their respective pages only.

• Five Star Movement
• Servant of the People
• Respect and Freedom Party
• ANO 2011
• National Trust Party
• Pheu Thai Party
• Reform Party USA
• Justicialist Party
• Party of the People
• Congress for Democratic Change
• There is Such a People
• New Zealand First
• Young Party

YouTube

• POPULISM: A Simple Explanation by Ryan Chapman
• Populism is Good, Actually by Jreg

TVTropes

• Protest Song