What are the two constitutive components of populism? Explain each. Then identify and explain any two perspectives on how populism relates to democracy.

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The prompt asks for two separate tasks: (a) identifying the two constitutive components of populism and explaining each, and (b) identifying and explaining two perspectives on how populism relates to democracy. We will address both tasks in a structured, explanatory fashion.

First, the two constitutive components of populism:

1) People-centrism (appeal to "the people"). This component centers political legitimacy on a unified and virtuous and supposedly homogenous set of ordinary citizens. Practically, populists present themselves as the authentic voice of the people and depict political life as a struggle between the pure people and a corrupt or elitist establishment. The reasoning behind this component is that political authority should derive from popular sovereignty, not from elites, institutions, or technocratic bodies. A strength of this view is its capacity to mobilize broad support by appealing to shared identities and common interests; a common pitfall is the risk of oversimplifying diverse citizen preferences into a singular will and delegitimizing dissent.

2) Anti-elitism (opposition to elites in political, economic, cultural, and intellectual spheres). This component foregrounds a moral distinction: the people against the elites who supposedly serve their own interests at the expense of ordinary citizens. Populists characterize elites as disconnected, self-interested, or corrupt, and present politics as a moral struggle or fight to reclaim power for the people. This element helps explain why populism often portrays complex policy trade-offs as binary battles and why it emphasizes direct action, grievance, and a rejection of established expertise.

Second, two perspectives on how populism relates to democracy:

1) Populism endangers liberal democracy (critical perspective). Proponents of this view argue that populist movements undermine core democratic principles such as pluralism, minority rights, checks and balances, and the rule of law. They contend that populists claim to speak for the "will of the people" and may use that claim to justify suppressing opposition, capturing or reshaping institutions (e.g., judiciary, media) to centralize power. The concern is that sustained populist power can erode institutional constraints and potentially lead to democratic backsliding or authoritarian tendencies.

2) Populism can strengthen democracy (defense of populism). Advocates of this perspective contend that populism highlights neglected or underrepresented voices and forces political systems to respond to citizens’ needs. By pushing representatives to address issues previously ignored, populism can incentivize greater accountability, broaden participation, and improve representation. In this view, populism reveals weaknesses in democratic practice and motivates reform, competition, and responsiveness rather than inherently destroying democratic norms.

Finally, the core elements of populism (people-centrism and anti-elitism) are widely recognized in scholarly discussions, but there is genuine disagreement about their democratic implications. Some analyses emphasize threat and risk to liberal institutions, while others underscore potential for enhanced participation and responsiveness. The discussion about populism thus remains contested and context-dependent, with varying implications across different political environments and historical moments.

2261 PS 1340 SEC1000 Final Exam

What are the two constitutive components of populism? Explain each. Then identify and explain any two perspectives on how populism relates to democracy.

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