populism

American  

[pop-yuh-liz-uhm] / ˈpɒp jəˌlɪz 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

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Etymology

Origin of populism

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

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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

See Examples For:

populism

This is where her theory of populism comes in.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, he said: "It's always far too easy to play the populism card, to promise what is undeliverable."

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

The results will reveal the common sense of the people, which has been the essence of populism since it was given its name in the 1890s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

The most recent high-profile progressive candidate to embrace those working people: Abdul El-Sayed, whose economic populism helped him win the 2026 Michigan Democratic Senate primary.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026

Stambolisky, on behalf of the peasant populism movement, made several sweeping reforms.

From Area Handbook for Bulgaria by Violeta D. Baluyut

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