Political populism what and why

It has become common-place to talk about ‘populism’; but what does it mean? And what is the reason why otherwise seemingly stable democracies throw ups the likes of Trump and Johnson? I draw on some recent analysis using data science which challenges some fashionable ideas: that populism originates in inequality or as a response to immigration. Link to article: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/populism-brexit-trump-how-to-counter-b2004888.html Sir Vince Cable is the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and served as Secretary of State for business, innovation and skills from 2010 to 2015. He records a regular podcast ‘Cable Comments’, expanding on the themes from this column. Link here https://www.independent.co.uk/author/vince-cable  Vince’s new book ‘The Chinese Conundrum: Engagement or Conflict’ is available to buy online or from your local bookstore. Amazon, Bloomsbury, Waterstones, WHSmiths. To find out more about Vince, go to www.vincecable.org Follow him on Twitter: @vincecable Produced by Podcast.co