I. Introduction
I will argue in this article that populism is a challenge to democracy. I may build on my interpretation of populism and the conditions that may contribute to its rise. I'll go into more detail on why populism has no place in a democracy. Populism is derived from the Latin word populous, which means "from the people." It is commonly held that average citizens, rather than a select number of elites or political insiders, should have a right to influence the government. Today's populism consists of a collective of people that have outspoken opinions that challenge traditional 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. The call themselves the voice of highly ignored masses.
II. Populism and 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, 1985). In the present political systems, it is highly likely for populism to emerge due to the declining levels of party membership, deep distrust in politics and politicians and the emergence of a considerable number of voters who are disillusioned are more often than not open to drastic and radical alternatives. These situations constitute a 'democratic disease.' The media in this cases 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. Some leaders in this type of individuals tend to exploit any socio-economic issues to their advantage. They often begin treating government property as their own and not as a public trust.
III. Adverse Social Conditions and Populism
The emergence of populist parties is as a result of adverse social conditions (Canovan, 1985). 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. Populism parties often exploit these feelings to garner support.
IV. Characteristics of Populist Parties
It is often effortless to spot a populist political party. They usually emphasize putting any controversial matters of national interests through a referendum before concluding. Populism movements are mostly found in the opposition although some have managed to succeed in the electoral process and hence share power with the sitting government. They present their arguments in the colorful and undiplomatic language to entice the people and thus keep their support (Canovan, 1985). This manner of speaking is to exclude them from the elite.
V. Threats Posed by Populism to Democracy
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 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.
VI. Manipulation of Crisis by Populism
Populism takes advantage of the available crisis to push its agenda. Populists manufacture 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.
VII. Populism and its Impact on Democracy
The idea of populism has prompted a lot of debate especially around the circles of European politics. According to most people, the ideology of populism and democracy is an uneasy combination. Populism threatens democracy more than it supports it. A representative government has no barrier against populism hence it is highly vulnerable. Populists have continuously found loopholes in a democracy to use against it. They foster negative criticism of democracy. Populism remains a considerable threat to today's democracy.
VIII. Conclusion
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 a threat to democracy as its political endeavors 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 populists 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.
Populists are a dander to democracy due to their political assumptions (Canovan, 1977). An ancient Greek politician, Pericles said that one of the worst things in politics is to rush into a decision before carefully weighing the probable consequences. Populism due to its plebiscitary view on democracy eventually becomes a victim to this truth. Influenced by the people, their decisions may be radical and sometimes reckless. Putting more emphasis to favoring judgments more than engaging in patient and productive negotiations undermines the process of decision making. Populism is an anti-pluralistic ideology that can damage democracy if in power. Their theory of voting expressed in yes or no answer does not reflect the entire nature of public interests.
IX. Recommendations
Populism is taking a toll all over Europe. The success of populists is merely due to corruption and socio-economic problems. The governments in place need to address and start solving the problems instead of letting them escalate. The people of Europe have had a sense of uncertainty while. They require a taste of political control to gain the feeling of complete control of their fate. The government must initiate a governmental action that listens to people.
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.
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.
X. References
Canovan, M. (1981). Populism. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Canovan, M. (1977). G.K. Chesterton. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Canovan, M. (2005). The people. Cambridge: Polity.
