Populism is no longer an outlier in global politics—it has become a powerful force reshaping democracies, international institutions, and global stability. In this article, we’ll explore what populism is, why it’s surging, how it impacts global stability, and what the future may hold.
What is Populism?
At its core, populism is a political style or movement that pits “the pure people” against “the corrupt elite,” claiming to give voice to ordinary citizens against a system they perceive as broken. WordPress+3Reddit+3Fair Observer+3
Key characteristics often include:
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Anti-elitism and anti-establishment rhetoric
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Emphasis on “the people” as a unified entity
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Nationalistic or nativist overtones (especially in right-wing variants)
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Distrust of pluralistic institutions and technocratic governance
Researchers have even developed metrics like an “Authoritarian Populism Index” to gauge the strength of such movements globally. Fair Observer+1
Why Is Populism So Strong Now?
Economic and social grievances
Growing inequality, stagnant wages, job insecurity (especially from automation and globalization), and a feeling of being left behind are major drivers. A 2025 survey found that 56% of people across 31 countries believe their society is broken, and 47% think the country needs a strong leader who breaks the rules. Ipsos+1
Cultural and identity dynamics
In many societies, rapid demographic change, migration, and perceived threats to national identity have fueled populist narratives. These often invoke the idea of “us versus them.” Eurasia Review+1
Institutional and elite distrust
Many citizens feel that traditional parties, media, and institutions no longer represent their interests. As one article puts it, populism is not just a deviation—it signals structural realignment. Fair Observer+1
Globalization backlash & weakening multilateralism
As global integration deepened, some communities felt marginalized. Populism taps into frustration with international elites, trade deals, and external institutions. This creates political openings for nationalist, populist actors. Eurasia Review+1
Impacts of Populism on Global Stability
1. Democratic institutions under stress
Populist governments often challenge the independence of courts, media, and regulatory bodies. This tends to weaken checks and balances. Eurasia Review+1 When institutions erode, democratic governance becomes fragile—and that has implications beyond national borders.
2. International cooperation and multilateralism
Populist regimes may retreat from global institutional commitments, preferring national sovereignty to shared governance. This undermines collective responses to transnational challenges like climate change, pandemics, or trade regulation. populismstudies.org+1
3. Economic uncertainty and protectionism
Populism frequently brings protectionist economic policies—tariffs, trade wars, closed markets—which raise global economic risks. Number Analytics A fractured global economy reduces investment, slows growth, and increases the likelihood of crisis spill-overs.
4. Geopolitical fragmentation and security risks
When populist regimes distrust traditional alliances or multilateral defence pacts, the architecture of global security weakens. In environments of geopolitical competition, this adds to instability. Eurasia Review+1
5. Polarization, internal conflict, and governance capacity
Populism often thrives on division (“us vs them”), which can heighten domestic social polarization, reduce policy effectiveness, and increase public mistrust of government. All of this erodes societal resilience and can spill over internationally. arXiv
Recent Examples Illustrating the Trend
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Poland (2025): A narrow victory by a nationalist candidate backed by populist rhetoric shows the strength of the populist wave in Europe. The Washington Post
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Japan (2025): The emergence of a new right-wing populist party Sanseito gaining seats signals that even stable democracies are not immune. TIME+1
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Institutional warnings: The governor of the South African Reserve Bank cautioned that populism threatens the independence of central banks and multilateral institutions. Financial Times
Why Global Stability Is at Stake
A few key mechanisms link rising populism to global instability:
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Reduced capacity for collective action. Issues like climate change and pandemics require international cooperation. When populist governments question multilateralism, collective responses weaken.
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Economic fragility. Protectionism and trade disruption raise the risk of economic downturns, which in turn fuel further populism—a vicious cycle.
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Erosion of democratic norms. As governments undermine media, courts, or civil society, both legitimacy and institutional reliability decline—raising the risk of internal crisis or authoritarian drift.
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Geopolitical shifts. Fragmented alliances and nationalist foreign policies raise the possibility of conflict, alignments based on zero-sum logic, and unpredictability in security terms.
Graph Concept: Populism & Institutional Trust (2010–2025)
| Year | % of respondents who believe “society is broken”* |
|---|---|
| 2010 | ~38% |
| 2015 | ~46% |
| 2020 | ~52% |
| 2025 | ~56% (31-country average) Ipsos+1 |
*Based on Ipsos Global Advisor Survey.
What Can Be Done?
Strengthen socio-economic inclusion
Addressing the root causes—inequality, job insecurity, and economic marginalization—can reduce citizens’ sense of being left behind. Scholars link rising inequality directly to populist surges. Cambridge University Press & Assessment+1
Protect and reinforce democratic institutions
Ensuring independent media, judiciary, and transparent governance helps maintain institutional trust. When institutional safeguards are strong, the negative effects of populism on entrepreneurship and governance are mitigated. arXiv
Adapt global governance to new realities
International institutions must modernize—becoming more flexible, responsive, and inclusive—to counter the backlash against elitism and technocracy. populismstudies.org+1
Promote informed public debate & civic education
Encouraging media literacy, fact-based discourse, and open civic space can reduce polarization and help citizens navigate populist-driven narratives. arXiv+1
The Road Ahead
Populism is unlikely to disappear soon. Rather, it will continue to evolve—sometimes as a corrective to elite failure, and other times as a destabilizing force. The next decade may see:
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Hybrid political systems blending populist rhetoric with institutional constraints
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Shifts in global power as populist-led states realign priorities
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Attempts by multilateral institutions to adapt or face obsolescence
Global stability will increasingly depend on how well countries manage the balance between popular demands for change and the need to maintain inclusive, resilient governance.
Conclusion
The rise of populism reflects deeper tensions in our global era—economic dislocation, cultural stresses, institutional legitimacy crises, and the upheaval of globalization. While in some cases populism serves as a check on elite power, its unchecked acceleration poses real risks to global stability—from fractured alliances and trade disruption to weakened democracy and domestic unrest.
For leaders, policymakers, and citizens alike, the challenge is clear: respond to the grievances that fuel populism while preserving the institutional, economic, and cooperative frameworks that underpin a stable, interconnected world.
