• OurToothbrush@lemmy.mlM
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    8 months ago

    Populism is literally focusing on the masses. Now elitists use it as a pejorative to refer to fascists when fascists are also elitist with faux populist rhetoric.

    • Gabu@lemmy.ml
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      8 months ago

      No, populism is a focus on electorally beneficial short term goals. Has been so since always. Political decisions taken with the intent and plan of benefitting the populous are simply called a “good political administration”.

      • OurToothbrush@lemmy.mlM
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        8 months ago

        Political decisions taken with the intent and plan of benefitting the populous are simply called a “good political administration”.

        That’s populism.

      • go_go_gadget@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        No, populism is a focus on electorally beneficial short term goals.

        I mean I’ve heard people accuse Bernie of being a populist but I don’t think he’s focused on short term goals. Are they using the term wrong?

        • Gabu@lemmy.ml
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          8 months ago

          Quite clearly, yes. Bernie may rely on populism more than a hardline socialist, but as a relative metric against his rivals, he’s not even close to a populist.