What Is Populism?

Essential reading on one of the most important phenomena of our time from a remarkable political thinker.

From Donald Trump to Viktor Orban, populists are on the rise across the globe. But what exactly is populism? Should everyone who criticises Wall Street or Washington be called a populist? What precisely is the difference between right-wing and left-wing populism? Who are "the people" anyway and who can speak in their name? These questions have never been more pressing.

In this provocative book, Jan-Werner Müller argues that at populism's core is a rejection of pluralism. Populists will always claim that they and they alone represent the people and their true interests. Proposing a number of concrete strategies for how liberal democrats should best deal with populists, Müller shows how to counter their claims to speak exclusively for "the silent majority".

What Is Populism? provides a critical examination of the nature of populism and a thoughtful exploration of the implications for modern democracies.