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Original poster

For not understanding why "populism" is seen as such a bad thing

377 replies

TemporaryPosition · 06/02/2025 10:26

Is the point of democracy not to have popular support?

OP posts:
ExpressCheckout · 06/02/2025 10:33

Dolphinnoises · 06/02/2025 10:29

It’s not that - it’s doing so irresponsibly. Life is difficult and so is politics. So - whipping up anti-immigration sentiment even if an issue is not to do with immigration. Or claiming the NHS would be a world class, Rolls Royce of a service if only we left the EU.

It’s telling people what they want to hear as a way of winning votes, over promising what’s popular but also realistic (eg you can have your better public services but yes there will have to be a tax rise because things need paying for)

Edited

^ This. The Brexit vote was a good example of how populist politics exploits peoples' ignorance and prejudice and results in a poorer outcome for nearly everyone, except for the populists themselves.

Dolphinnoises · 06/02/2025 10:29

It’s not that - it’s doing so irresponsibly. Life is difficult and so is politics. So - whipping up anti-immigration sentiment even if an issue is not to do with immigration. Or claiming the NHS would be a world class, Rolls Royce of a service if only we left the EU.

It’s telling people what they want to hear as a way of winning votes, over promising what’s popular but also realistic (eg you can have your better public services but yes there will have to be a tax rise because things need paying for)