Populism is the concept that characterizes the how a ruler governs, using strategies and resources that aim garner popular support and confidence, mainly from the most disadvantaged classes.
During the electoral campaign, as a rule, the populist leader wins the trust of the masses (middle and lower classes), based on a simple, charismatic, direct and personal speech, dispensing intermediation by parties politicians.
Another striking feature in the populist leader's speech is the idea that he is capable of solving all the problems of the country, delegitimizing the rest of the democratic institutions and political parties, taking, for that, authoritarian measures. These, in turn, end up being legitimized by the people who do not even realize that they are being dominated.
Historically, the populist politics it was present mainly in Latin America, reaching its peak between the 1930s and 1970s. This form of government is usually common in countries with great social differences, which present a high level of misery and poverty.
Despite "defending" the interests of the working and poorer classes, populism is not exclusively related to left-wing political-ideological currents. In reality, many of the populist leaders have right-wing political ideologies. President Jânio Quadros is one of the greatest representatives of right-wing populism in Brazil.
Among some of the Latin American nations where populist politics was present, the highlights are: Argentina (Juan Perón); Ecuador (José Maria Velasco); Colombia (Gustavo Rojas Pinilla); and Bolivia (Victor Paz Estenssoro).
In the United States, in 2016, the electoral campaign of presidential candidate Donald Trump was considered populist, mainly due to the tone of the political speech of "us" (Trump allied to the people) and "them" (the rest of the political parties, taken all as corrupt).
In literature, populism represents an aesthetic current, where the author seeks to explore themes related to the daily life of the most simple and humble people, and this narrative is portrayed in a charismatic way.
populism in Brazil
One of the main examples of populist politics in Brazil was the government of the former president Getulio Vargas (1930 - 1945 and 1951 - 1954), popularly known as the "father of the poor".
O Vargas populism it was based on a passionate and charismatic discourse that highlighted the need for the approval of labor laws, an attitude that aroused the affection of a large part of the masses.
In Brazil, other famous populist politicians are: Anthony Garotinho, Leonel Brizola, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Paulo Maluf.
Characteristics of Populism
- Presence of charismatic and media leader;
- Need to win the trust of the broad masses;
- Simple, direct and popular dialogue between the ruler and the people;
- Use of massive official advertising (radios, newspapers, magazines, television stations, social networks, etc.);
- Attacks and delegitimization of other political parties and political-party ideological currents.