… Contrary to conventional wisdom, populists are not distinctive just because they criticize elites. There’s nothing wrong with critiquing the powerful; in fact, it’s often healthy in a democracy. What is specific to populists is the claim that they are the only ones who represent those they often call “the real people.” …
If, by this logic, only the populists represent the silent majority, then by definition, they will always win elections, as long as the majority is allowed to speak. CONT.
Jan-Werner Müller (Princeton), New York Times