What Is Populism?

From Donald Trump to Viktor Orban populists are on the rise across the globe. But what exactly is populism? Should everyone who criticizes 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 populisms 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. Review This lucid guide is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand leaders such as Trump and Chávez ―GuardianAn excellent short book -- Timothy Garton Ash ―New York Review of BooksIn this essential book Müller defines populisms most salient characteristics --antielitism antipluralism exclusivity -- and explains Trump and other populists through that framework. It is a quick read and worth every page ―Washington PostPopulism is not just antiliberal it is antidemocratic -- the permanent shadow of representative politics. Thats Jan-Werner Müllers argument in this brilliant book. There is no better guide to the populist passions of the present -- Ivan Krastev author of After EuropeNo one has written more insightfully and knowledgeably about Europes recent democratic decay than Jan-Werner Müller. His depiction of populism as democracys antipluralist moralistic shadow is masterful -- Dani Rodrik Harvard UniversityAn exceptionally intelligent book about a notoriously slippery yet essential political concept. Jan-Werner Müllers sweeping critique of populism will both instruct and challenge anyone who seeks to understand the roots and nature of the political conflicts that are roiling Europe and the United States -- Michael Kazin author of The Populist Persuasion: An American History About the Author Jan-Werner Müller is Professor of Politics at Princeton University and the author of several books most recently Contesting Democracy: Political Ideas in Twentieth Century Europe. He contributes regularly to London Review of Books the Guardian and the New York Review of Books.