The hottest Populism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Don't Buy Into Phony Anti-Establishment Schtick

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1723 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Many people believe the media is corrupt, and that's true. But just because some leaders point this out doesn't mean they are offering real solutions.
  2. It's important to be careful about which political movements we support. Some anti-establishment figures might actually be leading us back to the same problems we want to escape.
  3. Real change requires looking beyond mainstream party politics. We need to seek genuine revolutionary ideas, not just those packaged as 'populist' by political leaders.

The authoritarian political agenda: beyond populism

Wyclif's Dust • 1341 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Many recent political leaders, like Trump and Modi, seem to share a dislike for traditional institutions. They often challenge or bypass established political systems and laws to push their agendas.
  2. These leaders come from different backgrounds but have gained support by tapping into public dissatisfaction with current systems. They use populism to connect with voters, even if their specific policies vary widely.
  3. The modern economy has shifted towards large-scale operations, which makes nations and big corporations more intertwined. This shift affects how these leaders approach governance and their relationships with businesses.

Trump’s Populism Isn’t a Sideshow. It’s as American as Apple Pie.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1395 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Populism is a strong feeling in America that often pits ordinary people against the powerful elite. It's more about emotions and attitudes than strict political plans.
  2. Trump's approach to politics echoes past leaders like Andrew Jackson, who also promised to challenge the established order and 'drain the swamp.' This shows how deeply rooted populism is in American history.
  3. Populism can lead to big changes in government, where people express their frustration with the ruling class and demand action. It can shake things up and even remove those in power.

Martin Gurri: Trump Has a Mandate to Lead. What Comes Next?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1395 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Many people are unhappy with the current system and feel that leaders do not care about them. There is a growing distrust toward institutions that were once respected.
  2. Public dissatisfaction is seen in various movements worldwide, highlighting a desire for change and a disconnect between elites and everyday citizens.
  3. The rise of digital communication has exposed the problems with traditional institutions, making it harder for them to maintain authority without accountability.

Bottom-half folks voted for Trump because they’re lonely

Sex and the State • 50 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Loneliness and weak family formation are concentrated among people with lower income and education, and these social breakdowns help explain much of bottom-half support for Trump.
  2. Working-class voters feel fear, pain, and distrust because they see downward mobility and unstable families, which pushes them toward populist, anti-elite politics.
  3. To win these voters back, liberals should focus on rebuilding social connections and opportunities for stable, upwardly mobile families, since fixing loneliness (as well as poverty) matters more than just handing out more welfare.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Trump Restoration

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1762 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The idea that the Trump family could become part of the elite class in the future seems possible, especially with younger generations like Barron's kids. This shows how power dynamics can shift over time.
  2. Many people are confused by the political state where a convicted felon can become president. This blending of reality TV and politics complicates our understanding of what's real and what's a show.
  3. Democrats seem to have lost touch with everyday Americans, focusing too much on identity politics instead of real economic issues. This disconnect has allowed Trump and his supporters to thrive.

O abraço da sucuri

O Observador de Corcyra • 923 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Populism
  1. Recent decrees in Brazil are potentially reversing progress in public policies, particularly in the sanitation sector.
  2. The current government's actions reflect a historical trend of state appropriation by bureaucratic elites, impacting social and economic outcomes.
  3. Policy changes, like those affecting sanitation, may serve political interests at the expense of societal progress and taxpayer welfare.

More on the Vibes Shift, Alexander the Great, Elderly Mobsters, and More

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1194 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The discovery of Propecia for hair loss came from studying children in the Dominican Republic who had unique genital characteristics. This led to the development of a drug that helps prevent hair loss by replicating a natural enzyme deficiency.
  2. In South Korea, older people are becoming involved in right-wing politics, similar to trends seen in the U.S. This shows how different generations can align politically for various reasons, often driven by fear or conspiracy beliefs.
  3. The shift in Silicon Valley regarding corporate power highlights that political influence often outweighs economic power. Companies can change their policies quickly under political pressure, showing that government authority is central to real power.

AI Progress, Racism and the Election, Trump Picks, and More

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1267 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Ecuador is facing serious gang violence that is affecting its stability. The situation is so bad that the government may need to act more like it's in wartime to regain control.
  2. Polling methods can vary in accuracy. Asking who neighbors plan to vote for might give better predictions, though it's been hit or miss in the past.
  3. Populism can have its benefits in certain situations, like in Argentina, but often it leads to anti-liberal and statist policies. It's important to see the good and the bad aspects of populism.

The MAGA-Tech Partnership Was Never Meant to Last

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 357 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The partnership between Trump's populism and tech libertarianism was never stable and is showing signs of breaking down.
  2. Tech leaders tend to look for a future driven by innovation and technology, while Trump's movement focuses on past ideals, causing friction.
  3. Trust between figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump has weakened, and deeper policy disagreements are likely to increase.

The Mump Oligarchy -- A Glossary

Thinking about... • 740 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The Mump regime combines the influence of wealthy individuals like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, who represent a powerful oligarchy. They control political and social narratives for their gain.
  2. Mumpers are people who support or submit to this regime, often ignoring their own governmental responsibilities. This leads to negative behavior like spreading misinformation and avoiding accountability.
  3. The society described as Mumptopia is one where technology and media dictate people's beliefs and values, creating a distracted and disillusioned population that is disconnected from real issues.

Europe's absent-minded revolution

Wrong Side of History • 759 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Populism
  1. Europe is experiencing a political shift to the right, with right-wing populist parties gaining support and power in multiple countries. This reflects a broader public concern about immigration and economic challenges.
  2. The initial intent behind mass immigration to Europe was to fill labor gaps, but many assumptions about immigrants and their integration proved to be wrong. As a result, tensions have risen over the cultural and economic impacts of immigration.
  3. The debate over immigration in Europe is more about culture and community than economics. Many people value cultural sameness and fear the changes that immigration brings to their society.

Tariffs, Chaos, & the G6: I Watch Adam Posen as an Eloquent Cassandra on the Economic Wages of Pluto-Populist Trade-Policy Folly

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 269 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Tariffs can harm regular American families by increasing prices and creating uncertainty. They may seem like a good idea to support local industries, but they often backfire.
  2. The U.S. is becoming more isolated in global trade because of unpredictable policies. Other countries will easily find new trade partners, leaving the U.S. at a disadvantage.
  3. The chaos caused by tariffs leads to significant financial burdens on lower-income households. The overall economic impact will hurt many people, especially those with less money.

✨⏩ JD Vance offers an accelerationist AI vision in Paris

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. JD Vance spoke about how technology can empower workers instead of taking their jobs away. It's important to focus on how AI can help people do their jobs better.
  2. He emphasized the need for more support in areas that are less technologically advanced. Investing in the heartland can help create a balanced economy.
  3. Vance's speech addressed the idea of balancing innovation with careful development. It's crucial to ensure that the rapid growth of AI doesn’t lead to negative social impacts.

Social Learning Links, 5/31/2025

In My Tribe • 288 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. TikTok boosts right-wing populism by making emotional content easily shareable and bypassing critical thinking. This makes it very appealing and dangerous as a social media platform.
  2. It's important for individuals to reflect on their beliefs, and to be open to the idea that they might be wrong sometimes. This kind of self-examination can help improve understanding and reduce defensiveness.
  3. The power of the presidency has grown partly because Congress has given up its authority. This shift means that the executive branch now has more control, which raises concerns about the balance of power in government.

Punishment and populism

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. People overestimate how effective punishment is because we punish extreme bad behavior and then see natural regression to the mean as proof that the punishment worked.
  2. Experts who track behavior find rewards are at least as effective as punishment, but that expert view clashes with common-sense beliefs and leaves a gap politicians can exploit by promising to “get tough.”
  3. Fear, scarcity, loneliness, and threat activate punitive, authoritarian instincts and reduce people’s ability to weigh complex evidence, so support for harsh punishment often comes from emotional strain rather than simple lack of intelligence.

The chilling dawn of multiracial fascism

Wrong Side of History • 650 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Democrats are losing popularity because people care more about rising prices than political debates. Many voters prioritize their economic well-being over party loyalty.
  2. Trump has changed the game by uniting different racial groups in his support. His approach shows that diversity can work well in politics, differing from traditional views.
  3. Right-wing populism may be growing in non-traditional ways, with diverse communities supporting it. This reflects a shift in how voters align their beliefs with political parties.

The Vices of Nationalism; America in the Longhouse; Revisiting Chomsky on Cambodia

Unpopular Front • 44 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Nationalism is often presented as a unifying force, but it can lead to exclusion and conflict. There are many historical examples where nationalism has resulted in violence against minorities.
  2. Some theorists, like Yoram Hazony, argue that nationalism, when done right, can be just and beneficial. However, there are concerns that these ideas can inadvertently support extremist views.
  3. The discussions around the growing popularity of nationalist ideas often ignore real-world implications. It's easy to talk about nationalism in theory, but it can have serious consequences in practice.

Blood, soil, and Jeremy Clarkson

Vittles • 213 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Jeremy Clarkson has become a popular voice for UK farmers through his show, Clarkson's Farm, but his views also link to far-right ideas and nationalism.
  2. Many farmers feel undervalued and nostalgic for the past, making them susceptible to far-right populism that blames migrants for their struggles.
  3. Not all farmers share these extreme views, and there are movements working towards a fairer and more sustainable agriculture, showing that positive change is possible.

Social Learning Links

In My Tribe • 516 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. People have different biases based on their political views. For example, those on the left focus more on oppression, while those on the right emphasize threats from outsiders.
  2. Elites are often held to higher standards than those challenging them. When elites show arrogance or suppress dissent, they can create backlash against themselves.
  3. It's important for communities to protect themselves against bad actors who misuse the idea of victimhood. Without this protection, those with harmful intentions can take control.

Diss at your peril

A User's Guide to History • 176 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Historical populism was driven not just by economic distress but also by status anxiety and feelings of disdain from urban elites.
  2. The alienation of different demographic groups from the Democratic party led to a shift in political affiliations.
  3. Political participation is not just about policy but also about belonging and feeling respected within a party.

Epistemic Populism

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 13 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Populism and online grifters are attacking experts and epistemic hierarchies, so public policy and opinion increasingly follow emotion, conspiracy, and popularity instead of evidence and specialist knowledge.
  2. The attention economy causes audience capture: journalists and institutions pander to niches and overfit to engagement, which erodes rigorous standards; institutions need distance or 'elitism' to protect truth and democracy.
  3. Many wealthy people and leaders accommodate or excuse authoritarian behavior for profit or convenience—what the piece calls 'artificial stupidity' and the 'authoritarian two-step'—and combined with mass ignorance and technological change this creates a dangerous strain on liberal democracy and global stability.

Global Elites Ram Digital IDs To Prevent Populist Victories

Public • 404 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Governments are considering using a single app to store all personal information, which would make it easy for citizens to access important documents. This includes everything from vaccination status to tax records.
  2. This app could also give governments the power to control people's access to public services based on their behavior online. If someone spreads misinformation or hate speech, they could lose access to certain services.
  3. Digital IDs and tracking could lead to more surveillance and privacy concerns for citizens. Many fear that this could be a way for elites to maintain control and prevent populist movements.

"There is no room for firewalls": U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance denounces the closed and exclusionary European political elite to their faces

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 378 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. J.D. Vance criticized European leaders for being closed and not listening to the people. He believes that real security comes from embracing democratic values and voices of citizens.
  2. He pointed out that issues like internet censorship and political repression are undermining democracy in Europe and the U.S. He urged leaders to fight for free speech instead of shutting down dissenting opinions.
  3. Vance highlighted that mass migration is a pressing issue that people are concerned about. He called for leaders to take these concerns seriously and respond to the will of the voters.

Transcript: America This Week, Episode 73, January 26, 2024

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1236 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The Supreme Court allowed border control agents to remove razor wire Texas installed at the Mexico border due to obstruction issues.
  2. The story only pertains to the specific technique of using razor wire at the border and not Texas' broader efforts to secure it.
  3. The Biden administration argued that the razor wire hindered agents' duties, making it harder to enforce the law and control irregular migration.

Popuphobia’s Javier Milei Problem

Bet On It • 518 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Populism can be seen in a positive light when it speaks against corrupt elites. It can represent the voice of ordinary people wanting change.
  2. Javier Milei is an example of a populist leader in Argentina who has taken significant steps to challenge the established political system and improve the country's situation.
  3. Some critics dismiss populism entirely as bad, but it's important to recognize that not all populists are the same; some can actually promote good governance.

Facts Don't Care About Your Hypocrisy

American Dreaming • 169 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The current right-wing movement claims to prioritize logic over emotion, but often uses emotional appeals while labeling empathy as a weakness. They argue that emotions cloud judgment and prevent facing harsh realities.
  2. Many right-wing arguments present personal beliefs as objective truths, ignoring the moral and social contexts of issues like abortion and gender identity. Often, they treat complex topics as simple facts without acknowledging deeper implications.
  3. There's a battle for who gets to define truth, with the right framing their views as absolute while dismissing opposing perspectives as biased. This creates a shared tribal identity rather than an honest pursuit of facts.

Saturday Commentary and Review #190

Fisted by Foucault • 143 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Right now, U.S. politics feel really stable and boring, which people find hard to get excited about. Many are wrestling with what they expected when Trump first came into power versus what actually happened.
  2. There's a disconnect between what Trump's supporters want—a revolution—and what he can realistically achieve within the current system. Many Republicans are caught between wanting change and sticking to traditional conservative values.
  3. Anti-globalization has shifted from the left to the right over time. As people face negative impacts from globalization, right-leaning politics have capitalized on this sentiment, while leftists are trying to figure out how to reclaim that anti-globalization spirit for their own agendas.

Kayfabe, Cruelty, Sanewashing, Hierarchy, Musk, Bannon, & Trump

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 415 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. There is a division within right-wing politics, with one group focused on technology and immigration, while the other emphasizes hiring Americans. This conflict reveals deep disagreements on priorities and treatment of certain demographics.
  2. Journalistic narratives often misrepresent political situations, making them seem more normal than they are. This 'sanewashing' can hide essential truths from readers.
  3. Donald Trump's upcoming presidency suggests continued chaos, with various factions vying for power and unclear policy directions. The interactions and conflicts in online discussions illustrate a tangled political landscape.

Donald and the Pincer

The Abbey of Misrule • 498 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Many people feel frustrated with the political and media establishment, and they want change. This feeling is similar to what led to movements like Brexit and the rise of populist parties.
  2. Progressive leftism and corporate capitalism are working together more than ever. Both are promoting a modern world that values technology and globalism, often ignoring local traditions and cultures.
  3. There's a growing push for a different approach rooted in local identities and community values. Some believe we need to focus on what truly matters in our lives, rather than getting caught up in modern political divisions.

the winds of phase change

bad cattitude • 293 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. People are starting to recognize that they have been misled and manipulated by a small elite, realizing they're not alone in feeling this way. It's like a collective awakening to the truth.
  2. Cancel culture is about silencing voices and creating division among people. It aims to maintain control by making individuals afraid to express non-mainstream views.
  3. Recent events, like the changes brought by social media, show that the elite's control is weakening. More people are finding their voices and uniting against those who try to keep them isolated.

Populism May Be the Only Strategy Capable of Holding Authoritarianism At Bay

THE FREEDOM BLOG • 255 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Populism
  1. Populism can be effective in countering authoritarianism by representing citizen concerns over elite interests.
  2. There is a growing disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens on various issues like censorship, trans ideology, and climate policy.
  3. Mainstream journalists have sometimes portrayed populism negatively, but it can serve as a mobilizing force against authoritarian tendencies.

November 30, 2025

Letters from an American • 28 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. The administration is shaping policy to benefit a network of wealthy allies and businesses, blending public power with private profit. Deals span foreign agreements, tech, and crypto that appear to favor connected insiders.
  2. Legal protections, commutations, and withheld investigations are shielding wealthy friends from accountability and undermining the rule of law. Ordinary victims of fraud and abuse are left without justice while elites escape consequences.
  3. Widespread anger at this elite favoritism — dubbed the 'Epstein class' — is driving political realignment and voter backlash over affordability and concentrated power. That anger is pushing some voters toward Democrats and prompting populist postures from some Republicans.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #20

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Free trade is good for the economy because it helps increase productivity and wages. Even if it disrupts some jobs, the overall benefits are greater.
  2. Tech companies are starting to embrace nuclear energy to power their data centers. This move aims to cut carbon emissions and manage rising energy demands.
  3. Despite economic challenges, the American system has shown resilience. The economy has adapted and grown stronger after tough times like the financial crises.

Will civil servants guard against illiberal power grabs?

Can We Still Govern? • 124 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Civil servants may not always oppose undemocratic policies. Their views vary based on their political beliefs and affiliations.
  2. When civil servants see proposed changes as threats, they often consider quitting their jobs rather than resisting, reflecting their desire to maintain their integrity.
  3. In polarized societies, bureaucracies may fail to act as neutral defenders of democracy because their members have differing opinions on what's harmful to democracy.

The Bonfire of the Sanities

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 20 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. Social media and the attention economy reward outrage and quick hits, which has polarized people, eroded a shared sense of reality, and weakened slow, careful thinking.
  2. Foreign influence operations exploited those divisions, with outside actors amplifying discord and helping elect leaders who undermined democratic norms and America's role in the world.
  3. Trust in institutions and expertise has collapsed while mass delusion and craving for certainty grew, allowing populist leaders and propaganda to replace reasoned public debate and threaten civic stability.

Links to Consider, 11/22/2024

In My Tribe • 349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. There are situations where the law isn't followed as written, and officials can create their own rules. This can lead to them only helping those who know how to navigate these unofficial processes.
  2. Some experts believe that a more advanced society might need less democracy, with more reliance on specialized knowledge and secrecy. This suggests a shift away from traditional democratic values.
  3. Social media can amplify extreme voices, which affects how society views issues and political figures. It mixes up the way we see our neighbors and can deepen divisions.

American Decel

Future History • 130 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism
  1. America has slowed down in innovation and growth due to strict regulations and negative ideas about technology. This has made people fearful of the future.
  2. To improve, we need to encourage building and investment in new technologies, especially in clean energy and manufacturing. This will create jobs and a better quality of life.
  3. Education should focus on hands-on learning and critical thinking rather than just memorizing facts. This will prepare future generations to tackle problems creatively.