Populist politics importance
Osama Siddiqui
Populism is a political approach that supports the rights of ordinary people. It is attractive because it stands against the elites, who many people don’t like. However, even populist parties often get a lot of money from elites for their election campaigns.
Populism usually has a charismatic leader who presents themselves as the people’s hero. This leader often talks about the greatness of the past instead of focusing on the future.
The effects of populism can be seen in both India and Pakistan over different times. Both the countries have experienced the appeal and problems of populist politics.
In 1970s, Pakistan had several important leaders, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a charismatic politician supported by intellectuals, leftists, and some right-wing elements. He led Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with a socialist agenda. The PPP was very diverse, representing all four provinces.
Bhutto often spoke against India and sometimes used religion to win votes, even though he led a liberal lifestyle and supported a progressive society. His main rival was Wali Khan of the left-wing National Awami Party (NAP). Wali Khan, the son of the famous Indian nationalist Bacha Khan, opposed wars with neighbors like India, believing that friendly borders would boost the economy. He also rejected religious politics, although he later formed a coalition with the right-wing Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam in NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
Bhutto’s relatable style and personality connected well with the public. His open-collar shirts and engaging manner made him seem like one of the people. Despite being Oxford-educated; he was seen as a man of the people. This populist appeal won him support over Wali Khan, allowing him to form a government in the center and in Sindh and Punjab provinces. However, after Bhutto was executed, religious extremism increased in Pakistan, setting the country back by decades.
In India, the shift from left-wing secularism to right-wing extremism became clear after 2010. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, was elected in 2014. The BJP promoted a right-wing Hindu nationalist state, appealing to emotional and religious feelings among the masses, which helped it in winning the election.
This approach marginalized Muslims and Sikhs, although the BJP’s success in Christian-majority states like Kerala, which usually supports left-wing parties, raises questions about their appeal. The BJP’s rise shows the power of populism in changing political landscapes, often at the cost of minority groups.
A historical example of populism’s dangers is Adolf Hitler. After World War I, Hitler sought revenge and promoted authoritarian rule, rejecting democracy. He claimed the German Aryan race was superior, which resonated with extreme nationalist feelings and made him very popular in Germany. However, such populist approaches led to disaster; Germany’s defeat in World War II resulted in a major political collapse.
Populism, while attractive, often harms the cultural fabric of a state. It can lead to desperation or radical changes that ignore the slow, patient process needed for meaningful progress. Sustainable change requires careful planning, steady leadership, and a focus on the future, not just an appeal to the past or blaming elites.
The writer attended Cardiff University and completed his Masters of Science in Business Management. He has great passion for modern South Asian history, politics, political marketing, and films. He may be reached at: osamasiddiqui21@yahoo.com. He tweets @osamasidd97.
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