When Populists Say They Represent “the People,” Do They Really?

Populists often claim to represent “the people,” but winning elections, gaining popular support, and actually advancing the public interest are not the same thing. To judge whether politicians truly represent ordinary citizens, we need to look beyond campaign rhetoric and ask who benefits from their policies—and who bears the costs.

Why Are Both Major U.S. Parties Becoming More Populist?

In recent years, both major U.S. political parties have seen the rise of movements described as populist. Why has populism emerged on both the left and the right? Are they fundamentally the same, or do they represent different political ideas? This article explains the concept of populism and why it has become one of the defining features of modern democracy.