The hottest Populism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Trad Marxism of George Grant

From the New World • 10 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Identity Populism Globalism Political theory Cultural criticism
  1. George Grant believed that Canada was heavily influenced by America, almost like a smaller country serving a larger one. He thought this relationship made Canada lose some of its national identity.
  2. He criticized the wealthy elites in Canada who were more focused on American business than the needs of their own citizens. This created a divide between the rich and the rural areas.
  3. Grant warned that without a strong central authority, countries could lose their national character. His ideas seem even more relevant today with the rise of global influences like the internet.

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 Authoritarianism Public Sentiment
  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.

URGENT: Donald Trump is on track to win decisively tonight

Unreported Truths • 82 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Populism Political elites Voter sentiment
  1. Donald Trump is expected to win by a large margin in the upcoming election, possibly carrying all seven swing states. This suggests strong support from ordinary Americans against the political elite.
  2. He's likely to become the first Republican candidate since 2004 to win the popular vote, which shows a significant shift in voter sentiment.
  3. Trump's victory would represent a major rejection of the Democratic Party and the broader American elite, signaling a desire for change in how things are run.

Nationalism Revisited

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Nationalism Fascism Globalism Imperialism Populism
  1. Nationalism prioritizes the interests of a nation above individual or group interests. It means people feel a strong loyalty to their country and want to protect its culture and values.
  2. Fascism is a political system where the state and corporations work closely together, often controlling many aspects of life. It's different from traditional ideas of conservatism or liberalism.
  3. Globalism involves countries working together across borders for common goals, like trade and climate change, but it can sometimes clash with nationalist feelings that prioritize local needs.

Commentator

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Populism Technocracy Political History International relations
  1. Alexei Navalny's recent writings focus on the mistakes of past democratic reforms in Russia, especially how some liberals supported election fraud in the 1990s, which contributed to the rise of autocracy under Putin.
  2. David Brooks discusses the growing divide between populist democracy and elite technocracy, suggesting that Democrats risk becoming disconnected from regular people by relying too heavily on technocratic solutions.
  3. The recent coup in Niger reflects broader geopolitical shifts, as former colonial powers like France struggle in Africa, while Russia and China are stepping in to fill the void, leading to a complex competition for influence.
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Some Democrats Think the Disease is the Cure

I Might Be Wrong • 14 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democratic Party Political strategy Voter Behavior Economic Policy Populism
  1. Working class voters are increasingly leaning towards the GOP. Democrats need to rethink how they connect with these voters since their current approach isn't working.
  2. There are two main ideas on why Democrats are losing touch: some say it's cultural, while others believe it's due to neglecting economic issues of the working class.
  3. Populist economic strategies, which try to appeal to working class concerns, haven't worked in recent elections. Just because these ideas are popular doesn’t mean they will lead to electoral success.

Did China Destroy Globalization?

Japan Economy Watch • 239 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Globalization Trade Populism Economic Policy
  1. Globalization has not been destroyed, but governments in the US and Europe are facing challenges in pursuing new trade agreements due to protectionism.
  2. Blaming China for rising protectionism overlooks the main issues, such as technological advancements and the shift towards services, leading to a decline in manufacturing jobs.
  3. Importance lies in addressing the root causes of worker distress, like job loss and wage suppression, with adjustments and mechanisms to alleviate these challenges.

On Populism, the Working Class and Partisan Politics

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Working Class Partisan Politics
  1. Many Americans are politically conservative symbolically but operationally progressive, lacking representation from political parties or coalitions.
  2. There is a growing appetite for populism in American politics, evidenced by the success of leaders like Trump and Sanders in recent elections.
  3. The Republican Party is facing a struggle between traditional conservatism and populism, with challenges in aligning economic policies with the desires of their base.

Democratic Hubris

The Discourses • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Democracy Legitimacy Populism
  1. Democracy is often defended through the doctrine of popular sovereignty, but it can lead to hubris among Western peoples and leaders.
  2. Successful institutions balance competing interests and have effective mechanisms for realignment and stability.
  3. The shift towards unadulterated popular sovereignty in modern democracies can undermine the necessary undemocratic checks and balances that help maintain stability and prevent short-termism and populism.

The end of decorum in politics

Demodexio • 0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Republican party Political Behavior
  1. The new populism in politics has assisted Republicans in maintaining power by promoting crassness and violating established decorum.
  2. The change in culture towards crassness and aggression traces back in small ways to the 1980s and became more pronounced with politicians like Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich.
  3. The shift towards populism post-2008, exemplified by movements like the Tea Party, has led to increased aggression and disrespect in politics, harming societal norms and decency.

In Europe, Chaos Is the New Normal

Yascha Mounk • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Populism Political parties Governance Voter Behavior
  1. Populism is becoming a strong force in European politics. New far-right parties are gaining significant support and may soon dominate over traditional parties.
  2. The divide in politics is shifting from just left vs. right to also include outsiders versus the establishment. This makes it harder for clear majority governments to form.
  3. Emmanuel Macron's presidency is facing major challenges, with recent elections showing a decline in support. The political landscape in France may change dramatically in the coming years.

Primaries, All The Way Down

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Populism Campaigns
  1. Many politicians are more scared of losing their primary elections than the general ones. This means they focus on pleasing their party's base instead of the wider public.
  2. There's a growing trend where conservative candidates challenge established politicians. These challenges often lead to incumbents retiring or changing their views to avoid conflict.
  3. Leaders in Congress face a tough situation. If they make deals to get things done, they risk angering their party's base, which could lead to primary challenges.

How To Fight Anti-Trade Populism

Japan Economy Watch • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 17
🌍 World Politics Trade Globalization Populism Economy Labor
  1. Trade is often blamed for various issues, but solutions must be provided for workers affected by trade and automation.
  2. The backlash against globalization is seen as a significant threat that could have disastrous consequences for the world economy.
  3. Proposals include establishing consensus on programs to support workers impacted by globalization.

On populists and the establishment

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Political Movements Political narratives
  1. The term 'establishment' can be misleading because it suggests a single group that controls everything, but that's not really true in politics. Different groups have varying levels of influence depending on the situation.
  2. Populism in politics often arises as a reaction against an imagined elite, making candidates appear as heroes fighting against unfairness. This narrative helps them gain support from voters who feel left out.
  3. Populist movements can struggle to maintain their energy as they grow. Once they gain power, they might start to resemble the establishment they initially opposed, which can weaken their original message.