The problem with populism: Anger feels good but isn’t an effective way to govern

Populism is having a defining moment again, though it never really went away. This approach to politics surged after Donald Trump made his appearance on the stage in 2015, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the Democratic primaries. The two candidacies helped to reshape both parties a decade ago, and this populist trend remains at the center of American politics. Everyone claims to be against “the system.” Everyone insists they are fighting “the elites.” And very few people seem interested in explaining what comes after the anger has spent itself.

Populism certainly is rhetorically effective and electorally useful. However, the problems come when anger itself becomes the organizing principle of politics, and distrust is no longer a starting point for reform but merely the