populism

meaning in plain English

A way of thinking in politics that says regular people get treated unfairly by powerful leaders, and it’s time to fight back against them.

Picture a crowd shouting 'people first'—that's populism, the idea that ordinary folks battle elite power.

for example

The politician won votes by promising to fight populism and give more power to everyday workers.

Imagine your landlord keeps raising your rent while pocketing tax breaks meant for tenants—suddenly, a politician promises to cap rents and tax the rich to fund affordable housing. That’s populism in action: turning everyday frustrations into a rallying cry against the people in charge.