Populism: definitions, characteristics, and historical contexts

1. Describe the historical roots of populism
The populist movement began in the more rural regions of the United States, during the late 19th century. The movement evolved due to the changing demographics in the nation, and a sense of disenfranchisement and disempowerment among rural residents—particularly those in Midwestern and Western states. Touted as a grassroots movement of the people, populism used rhetoric that slammed political power being centralized in Washington.
2. Farmers essentially started the populist political movement as a means of gaining political and economic power. With industrialists encroaching on the economy, and brokers controlling the prices of agricultural commodities, farmers had little control over the income they earned through their work. To improve their economic situation, farmers united in a common front, much as any other labor movement.
3. Populists demanded that the government become more responsive to the needs and concerns of the common person, rather than continuing to cater to the wealthy and powerful elite. Demands included the dismantling of strong federal government initiatives like a central banking system, as divesting power from the government and from the Eastern industrial states would mean diverting power back to the people. At the same time, populists made some contradictory demands on the government to provide more social safety nets for farmers.
4. The populist movement has continued to inform some of America’s political discourse, philosophy, and culture but is generally a failure. Most Americans live in cities or near them, and few are farmers with the concerns that gripped those of a century ago. However, the ongoing resurgence in anti-government sentiments is a vestige of the populist movement. Populism is also evident in some of the supporters of Trump from the regions that lack economic self-determination.