We're Not One of Them. We're One of You.

At the Libertarian Institute, we feature independent intellectuals who strive to understand our world and communicate that understanding to you. We don’t work for Lockheed or K Street or Qatar. We work for you. Support the Libertarian Institute Today!

$1,715 of $60,000 raised

What Populism is Really About

by | Nov 11, 2016

What Populism is Really About

by | Nov 11, 2016

“Populism” was one of the big buzzwords of this election cycle. It was largely attached to the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, with both candidates referred to as “populists” despite having distinctly different political philosophies. Still, they both used the approach — with success — to tap into the deep dissatisfaction of the average American voter. For Donald Trump, populism has paid off well: In a shock to the political establishment, Trump has ridden populism straight to the White House. But we must understand what populism is really all about.

Populism has traditionally been understood to include trade protectionism, low interest rates, and government welfare to the poor and middle classes. The philosophy is meant to appeal to the common person, as opposed to establishment elites. Populism has historically seen a revival when economic conditions have deteriorated for the average person while the elites continue to prosper.
Demagogues rush to use the dreadful economic conditions to their political advantage. However, the solutions offered by so many opportunistic politicians aren’t really solutions at all. The proposals are always laced with promises that government will “do something” to fix the problem.
Unfortunately, most people still fail to understand that the economic pain they are suffering is the government’s doing in the first place. Government monetary, economic and trade policies lie at the root of the problem. The lack of a free market, sound money and genuine private property rights inhibit the return of economic prosperity. This widespread lack of understanding leads those who fall for the siren song of populism down a road of perpetual disappointment.
The problems created by government meddling cannot be cured with more government meddling.

Read the rest of Ron Paul’s op-ed at CNN.com

Ron Paul

Ron Paul

Ron Paul is a doctor, author, former member of Congress, Distinguished Counselor to the Mises Institute, and Chairman of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity.

View all posts

Our Books

Shop books published by the Libertarian Institute.

libetarian institute longsleeve shirt

Our Books

15 books

Recent Articles

Recent

TGIF: Emergency! Emergency?

TGIF: Emergency! Emergency?

Look, as a libertarian I think the list of federal entities to be abolished soon should include the: Consumer Financial Protection Board, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Reserve System,...

read more
The War on Michael DiMino

The War on Michael DiMino

Ever since being named deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, Michael DiMino has found himself in the crosshairs. On January 22, conservative talk radio host Mark Levin, citing a tweet condemning the former CIA analyst’s critique of the “ironclad...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This