How the Populist Movement Transformed American Politics
It started with earnest labor unions but quickly evolved into a manipulative, power-hungry machine.
The rise of populism in western politics has played a profound role in U.S. democracy. In the 19th century, the lower class rose up against the elites of society by selecting their own candidates who represented the needs of the silent majority. However, with privilege comes power, and populism has since spired out of control. Today, it is a dangerous mechanism used to manipulate the public’s interests through political rhetoric.
The Beginning of the End
At its core, populism is a type of political rhetoric that pits a virtuous “people” against nefarious, parasitic elites who seek to undermine the rightful sovereignty of the common folk. — J. Eric Oliver and Wendy M. Rahn
The populist movement arose in the late 19th century when farmers tired of the elite class and decided to form their own party — the people’s party. This group recognized that the United States’ values no longer held any significance for the worker class, as…
