Populism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A political approach that appeals to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups
2. A political philosophy that champions the common people's needs and perspectives while opposing elite authority and governance structures
3. A political movement that seeks to represent the interests of the general populace against perceived establishment or elite dominance

Etymology: Populism is a word whose most important ingredient is one most people would never guess: the Latin "populus" that sits at its root means "people," not the poplar tree, which is a different word that happens to look the same. The English suffix "-ism" then turns that base into a name for a doctrine or movement. Taken together, the word names a political style built around appealing to ordinary people against an established elite. The sense of "people" carries the whole meaning. Where "popular" describes something liked by the crowd, "populism" points to politics that claims to speak for the common person, often in contrast to those who govern, finance, or teach them. The "-ism" ending, borrowed into English from Greek through Latin, is the same one found in words like "socialism," so the word follows a familiar pattern of naming a system of belief or practice after its core idea.

Synonyms: people's movement, popularism, demagoguery, grassroots movement, political populism

Antonyms: elitism, aristocracy, oligarchy, snobbery, exclusivity