Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the political philosophy of the People’s party.
- (lowercase) any of various, often antiestablishment or anti-intellectual political movements or philosophies that offer unorthodox solutions or policies and appeal to the common person rather than according with traditional party or partisan ideologies.
- (lowercase) grass-roots democracy; working-class activism; egalitarianism.
- (lowercase) representation or extolling of the common person, the working class, the underdog, etc.: populism in the arts.
noun
- a political strategy based on a calculated appeal to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people
1893; see populist + -ism. Originally in reference to the political theories of the U.S. Populist Party (also People’s Party).
The belief that greater popular participation in government and business is necessary to protect individuals from exploitation by inflexible bureaucracy and financial conglomerates. “Power to the people” is a famous populist slogan.