Why Populism?: Political Strategy from Ancient Greece to the Present (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781009275293)

The rise to power of populists like Donald Trump is usually attributed to the shifting values and policy preferences of voters-the demand side. Why Populism shifts the public debate on populism and examines the other half of the equation-the supply side. Kenny argues that to understand the rise of populism is to understand the cost of different strategies for winning and keeping power. For the aspiring leader, populism-appealing directly to the people through mass communication-can be a quicker, cheaper, and more effective strategy than working through a political party. Probing the long history of populism in the West from its Ancient Greek roots to the present, this highly readable book shows that the 'economic laws of populism are constant.' 'Forget ideology. Forget resentment. Forget racism or sexism.' Populism, the author writes, is the result of a hidden strategic calculus.

Author: Paul Kenny
ISBN-10: 1009275291
ISBN-13: 9781009275293
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 04/06/2023
Pages: 250
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.98w x 0.94d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2023