The United States: Populism as Political Strategy

Abstract

Unless discussion is focused specifically on the People’s Party of the late nineteenth century, American populism proves to be a curiously elusive subject. From one perspective, many aspects of American politics can be described, broadly, as populist in character. However, once particular instances of alleged populism are subjected to analysis, it appears that much that might otherwise be identified as populist can be incorporated within some other tradition of politics in the United States. Populism is everywhere, and nowhere. In trying to understand this, perhaps the best starting point is the concept of populism itself.

You’re everywhere and nowhere baby, that’s where you’re at (opening line of the song, Hi Ho Silver Lining)