Populism is a way of doing politics that claims to represent “the people” against a “corrupt” or “self‑serving” elite, often by appealing to common sense and anti‑establishment sentiment.[1][2][3][4][5]

Basic definition

• In political science, a common definition (Cas Mudde) is a thin‑centered ideology: society is divided into two homogeneous, antagonistic camps, “the pure people” versus “the corrupt elite,” and politics should express the “general will” of the people. ⭐ [3][4][6]
• It is “thin‑centered” because it must attach to a fuller ideology (left, right, nationalist, socialist, etc.) to produce concrete programs. [7][3]
• The term is often used pejoratively in public debate, but in empirical work it covers movements across the spectrum, from left‑wing to right‑wing.[5][8][1]

Brief historical sketch

What it does to politicians

How and where it is used

• Sources

Modern Populist Leaders in Europe