What it is
Populism is a way of doing politics that divides society into two main groups: "ordinary people" and "corrupt elites." Populist leaders claim to speak for regular citizens against powerful politicians, rich companies, news media, or international organisations. Populism is not a single political belief; it can come from the political left or right.
Populism often grows when people feel ignored, the wealth gap grows, living standards fall over a long period of time, or governments fail to protect ordinary workers. While populism can unite people—for example, by bringing working-class communities together to demand fair wages or resist labour market shifts—it can also divide society by turning different groups against each other (for example, blaming weak or minority groups for social and economic changes such as deindustrialisation).
Personal stories
Mateo’s story: Mateo worked for 20 years in a manufacturing factory in a small industrial town in Western Europe. When the factory closed down and moved to another country, Mateo and hundreds of his colleagues lost their jobs. Struggling to find steady work, Mateo felt abandoned by mainstream politicians who seemed to focus only on big cities and global trade. When a populist candidate visited his town promising to bring back local industry and put "ordinary workers first," Mateo felt heard for the first time in years. However, as the movement grew, the political discussions in his town became hostile and divided. Neighbours turned against each other over who was a "real" local citizen.
Layla’s story: Layla moved to a new country 10 years ago, where she runs a small bakery and contributes to her local community. Recently, during a national election, a populist politician began blaming foreign-born residents for local problems, such as long waiting lists at hospitals and a shortage of affordable housing. Although Layla has lived peacefully in the neighbourhood for a decade, she noticed a sudden change in how some customers treated her. Strangers began making hostile comments in public. They told her to "go home." Layla now feels unsafe in the town she helped build. Local politicians continue to make speeches blaming migrant communities for economic difficulties.
Some broader issues
Economic inequality and a lack of trust drive populist movements: When a small group of rich people holds most of the wealth while working-class people struggle with low pay and job loss, public trust breaks down. Populist politicians use this anger by promising easy answers to difficult problems, claiming they will give power back to ordinary people.
Populism often targets vulnerable groups: Right-wing populists frequently use “us versus them” thinking to blame minority groups, foreign workers, or immigrants for national problems. This kind of speech increases unfair treatment, fear of foreigners, and social exclusion, which harms human rights and safety for marginalised communities.
How populist messaging spreads on social media: Populist leaders use social media to speak directly to citizens without going through traditional news outlets. They often share short, simple messages that use dramatic language to create fear or anger. These posts spread very fast online because algorithms select content that creates strong emotions. As a result, complicated political problems are turned into simple slogans, making it harder for people to have calm, thoughtful discussion and debate based on real facts.
Digital spaces act as "echo chambers": Online platforms spread political messages quickly by connecting like-minded users. These digital spaces show people only opinions that they already agree with, making it hard for citizens to find reliable news, understand different viewpoints, and make informed choices.
Populism can weaken democratic institutions: While populist leaders claim to restore power to regular citizens, they often attack important democratic safeguards once in office. They may criticise independent courts, dismiss free news media as "fake," and weaken non-governmental organisations. By claiming that only they represent the true "will of the people," populist leaders make it easier to remove legal checks and balances, which can lead to authoritarian rule over time.
Populist styles also emerge in countries like Japan: Although Japan does not have giant populist movements like Europe or North America, populist styles still happen locally. Some political figures use angry speeches, social media, and promises of big change to attract voters who are tired of slow economic growth, high taxes, and rising living costs.
Protecting democracy and equality: In response to populist movements, governments face the challenge of fixing the real causes of inequality and exclusion—such as poverty, poor representation, and social isolation—while protecting human rights for everyone.
[1] Definition: ポピュリズムとは？生まれる背景や特徴ほか、世界の事例や危険性も解説
[2] Countermeasures: ポピュリズムにどう向き合うか
[3] Definition: Simple English Wikipedia. (31 October 2025). Populism. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism
[4] Definition: The Conversation. (2 June 2025). What is populism? https://theconversation.com/what-is-populism-249369
[5] Local politics: The Mainichi in easy English. (1 November 2025). 'Japanese First' party confuses mayor of town with many foreigners. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251112/p2a/00m/0na/006000c
[1] Extended definition: Helpful Professor Explains! (18 February 2025). What is Populism? (3 minutes 34 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e03ffxp9GlU
[2] Political figures: Deutsche Welle News. (11 June 2026). How the most polarizing politician in Australia is winning. (10 minutes 8 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TswDN-Njc0
[3] Threats to democracy: Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). (8 February 2024). Populism, Polarisation, Post-Truth: What are they? Why are they a threat? (4 minutes 34 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j4FPObj1VI
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What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:
Individual: Personal experiences and perspectives
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Organisational: Actions taken by local or regional organisations
Systemic: Law, policy, human rights, or international frameworks
Combined: A mixture of multiple angles
4. Write down your initial research questions and your next steps.