Global Populism and the Crisis of Trust in Democracy

Season 2 of Vote and Voice begins with one of the most influential political trends of the modern era: populism.Across the United States, Europe, and other democracies, populist leaders and movements have gained significant support by challenging political elites and established institutions. But why is this happening now?In this episode, we examine the rise of populism, the rhetoric used by populist leaders, and the social and economic forces that have helped fuel these movements. From declining trust in institutions to globalization, immigration debates, and political polarization, we explore the conditions that have allowed populist politics to expand across Western democracies.This episode provides an introduction to the global populist wave and explains why it has become one of the defining political developments of the 21st century.