Populism originates from a Latin word populous meaning from the people. It is a popular belief that the ordinary people should have a right to the control of the government rather than a handful of elites or political insiders. Canovan defines populism as "as an ideology that considers society to be ultimately separated into two homogeneous and antagonistic groups, 'the pure people' versus 'the corrupt elite,' and which argues that politics should be an expression of the volonte general of the people". The populism that we see today is a group of individuals who have outspoken ideas that challenge existing political parties and national policies (Canovan, 2005). These movements tend to claim that they represent the ordinary people who are necessarily the legitimate owners of political power. They condemn politicians who fail to safeguard interests of the people. They call themselves the voice of highly ignored masses. In this essay, I will argue that populism is a threat to democracy. I will elaborate the understanding of populism and case which can lead to its emergence. I will further examine the reasons why populism has no place in a democracy.
Populism can exist in almost all forms of democracy especially in political systems whose institutions periodically change. People view equality in different ways. They tend to be highly dissatisfied when a particular group of elites is always holding the high positions in politics. Some of the political factors that influence populism include: personalizing of legislative powers and high involvement of the media in matters of politics. These issues significantly affect the people's view of democracy in their country (Canovan, 1981). The media in this case confuse the people even more by presenting unsearched and baseless accusations and opinions which often create an intense anti-political environment and popularize of populist parties. However, populist help remove bias in news media as they tell the truth on live media/show therefore the news cannot misinterpreted it because the populist leader uses simplified language which the people can understand. This also creates a connection between the representor and the people.
When a population is forced to adapt to unbearable circumstances such as unemployment, social exclusion, and vulnerability, it becomes relatively easy to manipulate them. Competition from other countries, constant immigration of people from third world countries often gives rise to feelings of uncertainty and fear among the Europeans. Populist parties often exploit these feelings to gather support. Populists often exclude the elite from their agenda and often label them as the enemy. By eliminating them, they gain the attention of the people. They repeatedly mention how the elites are failing the democracy by not safeguarding the rights the minority. Populists badmouth them by making them seem like the enemies of freedom. They often term the leaders as undemocratic and illegitimate. This belief is the reason populism is predominantly a diverging force.
Populism takes advantage of the available crisis to push its agenda. Populists make up and use a crisis to justify their frequent protests and demonstrations and sometimes revolts. They make a crisis as an opportunity to overthrow the leaders in power. Some have argued that populists came about due to the financial crisis (Canovan, 1977). They often use economic and social struggle to alienate the people from the ruling class. Most of the time they exaggerate a situation to create the appearance of high stakes. They mostly have little content hence manipulate the suffering of the people.
Populism, as a phenomenon rejects, does not agree with limitations developed on the expression of a popular will. For example, protection of minority rights and independence of constitutional bodies in a country (Canovan, 1999). This is a serious threat to democracy because populist will create their own ideal political system. Therefore, an increased manifestation of illiberal democracy is the whole mark of populism that poses a great threat to established democracy. On the other hand, populism is exclusive in nature making populist intolerant, racist and xenophobic in and on many occasions, excludes individuals who do not meet their definition of "the people." For instance, the Lega Nord is a populism movement that has a strong hard-line position regarding Muslim foreigners and multiculturalism. In many democracies, the impact of populist movements is observed hostility created to intellectual economic and political leaders. Here, delegitimization of political opponents creates a notion that they are not adversaries, but rather are evil enemies to the country. In this regard, a populist movement destroys a symbolic framework unto which a political stage that initiates a democratic struggle is understood (Canovan, 1999). As such, such a democracy will experience a permanent situation of conflict that will not promote any further development of a prosperous democracy.
Democracy advocates for the government of the people by the people for the people. Populism, on the other hand, advocates more for leadership than it does for participation. Populists mask this obvious fact by pushing the agenda that they are speaking for the ignored masses. Populism is one form of illiberal democracy as it rejects all limitations the expression of popular will such as safeguarding the rights of the minority (Canovan, 1977). They often ignore the real democracy forming one of their own.
Populism is not only a threat to activities of political parties, but it is also a major source of concern for parliamentary legislations. In many democracies, the ruling elite respond to demands of populist movements in several ways that cause antagonism. The ideology propagated by populism forms the basis of response by ruling elites. For example, right-wing populism in Germany has been treated very hard compared to left-wing parties. Similarly, in France, the communist party of France was forced to be accepted as part of a coalition of socialists whilst its counterpart the French National was rejected by the right-wing and left-wing parties. The ideal strategy for dealing with a challenge of populism is to compete and possibly defeat populism through collaboration, hostility, and marginalization. In other cases, parties will exclude populist parties portraying them as enemies of the system and refuse any cooperation at any level (Canovan, 1999). Lack of cooperation is a limitation to advancing democracy in a particular country.
Populism is a threat to democracy as its political actions are more often than not intolerant, racist, xenophobic and sometimes they advocate for the legitimization of the isolation of others who do not conform to their definition of the people. They are exceedingly hostile towards the elite in the society and often equality of the people is not on their agenda. They discredit rival political parties by implying to the people that these individuals are the enemy. These cases create a permanent state of political conflicts which is not part of democracy. High incidents of racism, hostility towards immigrants and prejudice can be attributed to the presence of populist's parties as they have arguably a significant influence on the people. Populism can result to violence due to unreasonably high promises to the people which they may not be able to deliver.
The leaders should promote equality and freedom and most of all respect among citizens. This will reduce the agenda of populist movements that encourage alienation of specific people in the society. They should also put in place policies that promote economic growth giving people a sense of security. This belief is the reason populism is predominantly a diverging force. Populism will be present in all democracy, as Conovan said "tension […] provides the stimulus to the populist mobilization that fallows democracy like a shadow". the elites work harder to make the people satisfied with democracy in order for populism not to be born.
Populism might be a threat to democracy at the start of populist movements, they do not have much influence, but as they become part of the government and acquire power, they are able to implement plebiscitary democratic ideologies. The main threat posed by populism is its erosion of openness and cohesion of democracy through the effect of prejudice, bias, and self-righteousness. Therefore, according to Canovan "Trust the people! Populism and the two faces of Democracy" is a true statement because populism is a threat to the existence of democracy but also it requires elements of a democratic society like elections or a referendum to achieve its objectives. Today's populism is cancer that needs to be eliminated (Canovan, 2005). It has fostered too much enmity. I have indicated some of the solutions that can help tackle the issue. Populism has stopped being about the people and become a danger to democracy. Any country with a well-functioning democracy must fight to contain some of the ideologies of populists. People following the populism parties should also criticize some of their ideas. People in government should fight to ensure democracy prevails.
Reference
Canovan, M. (1981). Populism. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Canovan, M. (1977/78). G.K. Chesterton. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Canovan, M. (2005). The people. Cambridge: Polity
Canovan, M. (1999). Trust the People! Populism and the Two Faces of Democracy