Populism and the Postcolonial African Novel

The main gist of the reading is an exploration of populism which has gained prominence, particularly after the 2008 financial crisis. Populist movements often pit the "common people" against a "corrupt elite." They typically exploit social fears and emphasize the loss of cultural values, rights, and privileges. The movements are often centered around charismatic leaders, who position themselves as outsiders challenging the corrupt establishment. There are negative and positive implications of populism on democracy (threat that fosters authoritarianism or enhances political participation by bringing marginalized voices into the political process). Various types of populism are discussed, such as right-wing (emphasizes external threats and is exclusionary) and left-wing populism (distinguishes between people and elites, without necessarily being anti-pluralist). In postcolonial nations, populist leaders often become symbols of national unity. I think one should assess populism based on its context and where it has happened (location).