[Fuzz]

The populist playbook

Populists like Premier Smith succeed when they are able to do three things:

1. Convince a dominant group they are being marginalized.
2. Convince that group they are in "the silent majority."
3. Convince the broader public that the group is both a victim and too dominant to challenge.

The first two moves appear contradictory. How can someone be both disparaged and part of the mainstream?

Smith's day-one comments feed into myths about the lack of power held by rural libertarians in this province. In a very real sense, they have prime seats around the cabinet table, and they have enjoyed over-representation in the legislature throughout the province's history. How can they then be alienated from power?

Populists overcome this contradiction by persuading folks they are less powerful than they are, are being "left behind" by forces beyond their control, and are victims of "the system" run by a "corrupt elite" against the interests of "the real people."

The populist playbook is less effective when people recognize the game for what it is: a deceptive attempt to elevate the grievances of a small yet dominant community over all others by framing them as the interests of "the common people."

The playbook also fails when voters realize the prevailing norms they've been sold by populists are both out of step with public opinion and unable to meet the challenges of the day.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...617059?cmp=rss