A Double-Edged Sword

India's populism trend reveals a layered saga of power, persuasion, and polarization that continues to redefine democracy and reshape the nation's political soul

- FR. JOHN FELIX RAJ & PRABHAT KUMAR DATTA

FR. JOHN FELIX RAJ IS THE VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRABHAT KUMAR DATTA, AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT XAVIER LAW SCHOOL. BOTH AT ST. XAVIER'S UNIVERSITY, KOLKATA

Populism, a term that originated in America in the late 20th century, refers to a political approach that appeals to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

In the Indian context, populism often involves the indiscriminate use of public resources to give goods away to voters, a form of crowd appeasement politics.

The rise of populism is a global phenomenon, evident in democracies like the USA, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic, and India. As a "thin ideology," populism allows other ideologies to be superimposed on it, functioning both as an ideology and a political strategy. In 2018, The Atlantic noted that four of the world's most populous democracies—the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and India—were governed by populist leaders. This trend can be attributed to growing citizen dissatisfaction with mainstream political institutions that fail to respond to grievances and demands.

Types of Populism

Two broad types of populism can be identified: exclusionary populism, which often threatens minorities, and inclusionary populism, which focuses on incorporating the lower rungs of society. In India, Indira Gandhi's "Garibi Hatao" campaign exemplified inclusionary populism, while Narendra Modi's brand of politics has been associated with right-wing populism, pitting the perceived "common folk" against the pluralistic elite.

The Rise of Populism in India