Super Short Summary

Jan-Werner Müller’s What Is Populism? (2014) explains the concept of populism, analyzing how modern populist leaders across the political spectrum reject pluralism by claiming exclusive representation of "the people," isolating opponents, and undermining democratic norms. Müller examines their rhetoric, strategies, and the dangers they pose, concluding that populism more aptly describes far-right leaders who seek to stifle civil society and democracy.