Welcome to Part 3 of our series: How to Spot Manipulation During an Election. We hope it'll give you the tools to make an informed decision this election season.
Definitions
Populism
Populism is a political approach that seeks to appeal to the ordinary person by appealing to the masses and pointing out a common enemy.
It can exist throughout the political spectrum.
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Though “populism” refers to “the people,” it is a simplified version of the people.
Populism
Examples
Argentina
Juan Domingo Perón served as president of Argentina 3 times between 1946-1974. He and his wife, Evita, created a movement in which they were the central figures.
Perón presented himself as different from the establishment and claimed to be for “every man.” Painting himself as the savior required the administration to control dissent by forcing various newspapers to shut down and even expropriating La Prensa and controlling it through his own political party.
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United States​
Andrew Jackson is considered the first true populist president of the USA. Like Perón, he positioned himself as a common man.
He introduced the spoils system, rewarding supporters with positions in government. He portrayed himself as a hero and pointed to the banks and the wealthy elite as enemies of the people.
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While populism may point to a “common sense” enemy, the danger lies in making it a binary issue in which they are the only hope.
Populism
The WZC Election
So how might this look in the WZC election?​
You may see slates pointing at antisemitism and H*mas, which are real dangers to Jewish people, but claiming that they are the only ones who can keep you safe.
You may also see slates telling you, “we’re just like you,” with generalized information.
Spotting the Manipulation
What You Should Know
What You Can Do
What you should know:
Populism focuses on a leader, a messiah figure, who is our only salvation. It tells a story that we have heard time and time again.
It’s simplistic and easy to digest. Be wary of ambiguous, short messaging.
Antisemitism and H*mas are real threats to the Jewish people. We can’t fight them with just one solution or one leader.
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What you can do:​
Populism requires some other elements to survive. It can spread mis/disinformation as it tries to solidify an enemy and use coercion to keep allies motivated.
Look for specificity when a slate approaches you, hoping to get your vote.
Specificity is the enemy of populism.
Sources
Review our sources:
we encourage that.
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Munro, André. “Populism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/populism.
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Schedler, Andreas. “Again, What Is Populism? | Review of Democracy.” Review of Democracy: Again, What Is Populism? , Feb. 2024, revdem.ceu.edu/2024/02/01/again-what-is-populism/.
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Otto, Franziska. “What Is Populism: Definition, Characteristics, Examples.” Liberties.eu, 20 May 2022, www.liberties.eu/en/stories/populism/44261.
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“History of Censorship in Argentina | EBSCO.” EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com, 2022, www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/history-censorship-argentina.
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Watson, Harry. “Andrew Jackson, America’s Original Anti-Establishment Candidate.” Smithsonian, Smithsonian.com, 31 Mar. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/andrew-jackson-americas-original-anti-establishment-candidate-180958621/.
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Akarca, Ali. “StackPath.” Theforum.erf.org.eg, 1 June 2021, theforum.erf.org.eg/2021/05/31/three-types-populism-economic-political-cultural/.
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Kyle, Jordan, and Limor Gultchin. “Populists in Power Around the World.” Institute.global, 2024, institute.global/insights/geopolitics-and-security/populists-power-around-world.