What the Left Fails to Understand About Populism

"One of the great mysteries about the rise of populism, in both the United States and Europe, is why it has benefited the political right so much more than the left. For years, American progressives have been trying to get people worked up over rising rates of economic inequality, with the expectation that this anger could fuel greater support for the Democratic Party."

"The problem stems from a failure to grasp the psychology underlying populism. Broadly speaking, populism today is a revolt against cognitive elites, not economic elites. Its centerpiece is the affirmation of common sense over the fancy theories favored by intellectuals. By invoking inequality and oligarchy, would-be populists on the left are complaining about abstractions-an approach more likely to alienate than engage the average voter."

Populism today is primarily a revolt against cognitive elites rather than economic elites. It affirms common sense over intellectual theories and resonates when it frames issues in concrete, everyday terms. Left-wing efforts that emphasize abstractions like inequality and oligarchy often fail to engage average voters. Practical policy promises such as lowering grocery costs and freezing rents can mobilize support, as demonstrated by Zohran Mamdani's electoral success. High-profile progressive tours and messaging rooted in systemic critiques have produced little electoral traction compared with messages that address immediate material concerns.

Read at The Atlantic