What Populism Can (and Can't) Do for the Left

a day ago

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Populism is a political strategy that distinguishes between a narrow elite and the broader masses, often referred to as the 99 percent.
Bernie Sanders' campaigns helped reintroduce economic and class issues into mainstream politics, influencing the Left's strategy.
Populism can help the Left by focusing on economic demands, but it also risks oversimplifying class differences within the masses.
The Right has successfully harnessed populist energy by positioning itself against both conservative and left-wing elites.
Left-wing parties have lost their working-class base by becoming managerial and aligning with neoliberal policies.
The decline of labor movements has weakened the Left's ability to advocate for working-class interests effectively.
Electoral successes like Zohran Mamdani's campaign show the potential of a populist approach centered on material demands.
The Left must rebuild trust with working-class voters by focusing on economic issues and demonstrating a commitment to fighting for their interests.
Populism alone is not enough; the Left must also address the heterogeneity of interests within the working class.
The current political moment is fluid, offering opportunities for the Left to reshape its strategy and regain relevance.

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