Populism

[Democratic Hawk]

Well then ...

Dave

[Frodo]

Historically speaking, primarily left-wing -that is, when the left then stood up for the factory worker and the farmer, as opposed to upscale yuppies in the cities like they do now. 

[A18]

Almost entirely left-wing.

[Moooooo]

Depends on the person I guess... Isn't Pat Buchanan considered a populist?

[??????????]

Depends on the person I guess... Isn't Pat Buchanan considered a populist?

Yes, he's a right wing populist.

[phk]

Both, its generally accompanied with heavy does of racism and xenophobia if its conservative.

[Democratic Hawk]

I voted both because, it often combines a heavy stress on leadership, on the one hand, and popular equality, on the other

It can also have a highly illiberal and intolerant position on traditional civil liberties

Apparently, I'm a moderate liberal populist so I musn't subscribe to much of that

Dave

[Beet]

Generally mostly left-wing, especially historically. Though in the United States both parts of the spectrum have used it with equal deft at different points in history.

[Democratic Hawk]

Generally-speaking, I'd say a mainstream American populist runs to the left on economics and to the right on social issues - but that doesn't necessarily apply to all populists

It would probably apply to me - though I'm, significantly, more to the left on economics than I am to the right on social issues

Dave

[Peter]

Historically, populism has amost completely belonged to the left. In Britain right now, I hear UKIP (a rightist party) being referred to as a populist party, especially by the moderate libertarians, so maybe thats changing.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I tend to think that's more a misuse of the word "populist" though; I think it could have something to do with Enoch Powell

[minionofmidas]

It's often had this xenophobic, or at least a nationalist strain...in fact, I'd say that's the chief difference between populism and socialism. The not-quite-as-horrible elements in the Nazis might be considered populist.

[TeePee4Prez]

Generally mostly left-wing, especially historically. Though in the United States both parts of the spectrum have used it with equal deft at different points in history.

Bush used it better than Kerry last time.

[afleitch]

I'd also say I was a populist, again straddling divides.

Socially im a liberal/libertarian supporting the usual pro-choice pro gay marriage ideals, combined with lowering the age of consent and legalizsing prostitution.

Economically im to the free market side; flat low taxes, more private education, small government, involving the business sector into running state education because I believe business runs things better than governments do.

[MaC]

I'd also say I was a populist, again straddling divides.

Socially im a liberal/libertarian supporting the usual pro-choice pro gay marriage ideals, combined with lowering the age of consent and legalizsing prostitution.

Economically im to the free market side; flat low taxes, more private education, small government, involving the business sector into running state education because I believe business runs things better than governments do.

That sounds like some pretty libertarian positions.

It started in the west with the left-leaning William Jennings Bryant and Eugene V. Debs types.  It eventually made it's way into mainstream politics and both parties took the parts they liked about populism.  It's currently both left and right.

[PBrunsel]

Populism began in the UNited States because of the ils of both the Deoression of 1893 and the long abuse of the farmer.

Farmers demanded government regulated railway rates, free coinage of silver to increase cash flow (which they thought would make things cheaper), and government controll of utilites.

After the depression eneded and gold was descovered in Alaska and theYukon, the movement died.

That's American Populism for ya'.

[A18]

Let's just be glad it's gone and hope it's dead forever.