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The rise of modern populism - Takis S. Pappas

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In many democratic countries, charismatic leaders vilify political opponents, disparage institutions, and claim to be for the people. Some critics label this approach as authoritarian or fascist, while others argue that these leaders are manipulating voters. This style of politics goes by the name of populism. Takis S. Pappas explores the phenomenon and the lasting impact it can have on a country.

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  • Educator Takis S Pappas
  • Director Patrick Smith
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Art Director Patrick Smith
  • Animator Patrick Smith
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by TED-Ed

In recent years, populism has not only grown strong in liberal democratic nations but has also risen to power in several of them. In which ways does populism affect those democracies?

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Avatar for Mohammad Aljaouni
Lesson completed

Populism is on the rise because it tells people exactly what they want to hear. An if people believe that these people are saying that they are right and will fix all your problems, then most people will follow them like lemmings off a cliff.


Avatar for Matthew Leonard
Lesson in progress

Populism can affect democracy by really emphasizing the wills and ideas of a majority over those of a minority. It can also create separations and weaken the systems that keep democracy in balance because it can undermine the trust of democratic parties by saying its more of "us vs the democratic parties" rather then the democratic parties promoting what there intended for to represent the people.


Avatar for Braeden Carroll
Lesson in progress

In my opinion, populism significantly affects democracy in both good or bad based on its purpose. Populism could sway a lot of people by making an opponent a traitor and that's not a healthy democracy. On the other hand, the leader could genuinely promote equality and work for the people. I think populism will never disappear. So the people should use their critical thinking(criticism) to make their own healthy decisions.


Avatar for Emma Makarow
Lesson in progress

Democracies have a set in stone plan that they have already thought through. When you look at the populism they are for the people which they can change more for the people compared to democracies. Democraices think more for themselves then for the people.


Avatar for Mallory Johnson
Lesson completed

I think it affects equality and makes the government unfair, the government would favor those who are populist. Some political people use populism as a way to rise to power and run the country how they want.


Avatar for Mallory Johnson
Lesson completed

I think populism is a tool of power, many political identities use populism as a way to control the people how they want to. The government can become corrupt and it would not be fair to the people who devote their lives to making this country a good place.




Avatar for José Fernando Londono S.
Lesson in progress

In our country (Colombia) it is a very timely and important subject since we have currently a populist government.


Avatar for Yasmin Obaid
Lesson in progress

What I can think of is Donald Trump and his way of speaking like how he was very specific with how he was going to help these kind of people and forget those kind of people and just forgetting that people have rights in America trying to kick them out and build walls and make people hate a certain culture and trying to show people that there’s only bad in that community or that race when it’s not about that so they’re making promises but then destroying peoples rights.

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