Putting populism in perspective

Populism and democracy are intrinsically linked, since in any democratic society, you’ll have rich and poor; powerful and weak; haves and have nots, which will always create a fertile ground for social tension and class conflict.

Voters will bang the drum of populism whenever they want to catch the attention of the ruling classes. And there’s nothing wrong with that; as a matter of fact, sometimes it’s a good thing when the ruling classes get the message that discontent is brewing within the populace, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

August 5, 2019

OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever Canadian pundits, pollsters, or columnists discuss the topic of populism they often operate under the assumption that it’s an inarguably bad thing. As a matter of fact, it’s commonplace to hear political commentators speak of populism as if it were a dangerous virus. ...

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