Populisme
Definition & Context
An ideology or political approach that claims to represent the interests of “ordinary people” against a perceived corrupt or unjust elite; frequently employed to garner mass support through simplified and emotionally charged rhetoric. Common synonyms: people's politics, mass politics, grassroots politics.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word populism derives from the Latin root populus, meaning “the people”. It was first used in a political context in the late 19th century in the United States through the People's Party movement, which championed the rights of farmers and laborers against large corporate interests. In Indonesia, populisme became increasingly prominent in modern political discourse following the Reformasi movement of 1998, as politicians competed to project closeness to “ordinary people”. The term carries a dual connotation: positive when signifying genuine advocacy for the public, yet negative when deployed as rhetorical manipulation devoid of substantive policy.
Real-world Usage
Pidato itu penuh populisme, menyentuh hati rakyat tapi minim solusi nyata.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
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