populism

American  

[pop-yuh-liz-uhm] / ˈpɒp yəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. any of various, often antiestablishment or anti-intellectual political movements or philosophies that offer unorthodox solutions or policies and appeal to the common person rather than according with traditional party or partisan ideologies.

2. grass-roots democracy; working-class activism; egalitarianism.

3. representation or extolling of the common person, the working class, the underdog, etc..

   populism in the arts.

4. (initial capital letter) the political philosophy of the People's party.

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populism British  

/ ˈpɒpjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a political strategy based on a calculated appeal to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people

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populism Cultural  

1. The belief that greater popular participation in government and business is necessary to protect individuals from exploitation by inflexible bureaucracy and financial conglomerates. “Power to the people” is a famous populist slogan.

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Other Word Forms

• anti-populism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of populism

An Americanism first recorded in 1890–95; from Latin popul(us) “people” ( cf. people, popular) + -ism

Explanation

If you feel that ordinary working people should have the strongest political voice, you can say you believe in populism. In politics, the term populism can have different meanings depending on who is using it and what their political goals are. At its root, populism is a belief in the power of regular people, and in their right to have control over their government rather than a small group of political insiders or a wealthy elite. The word populism comes from the Latin word for "people," populus.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the May 12, 2026, print edition as 'The Era of Disruptive Populism'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Populism is one of the most misunderstood, misused and question-begging political descriptors in use today.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2025

“He’s speaking to anger and fear and giving voice to it,” said William Howell, a politics professor at the University of Chicago and co-author of “Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

Populism, Fonseca said, is linked to the exercise of faith and relies on charisma.

From Washington Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Populism was engendered by local troubles in the West and South, but its name now acquired a national usage and its leaders were encouraged to attempt a national organization.

From The New Nation by Dodd, William E.