Populism and its Impact on Democratic Governance
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs3
- Articles1
Background
Understanding populism is crucial for analyzing contemporary political trends globally and within India. UPSC examines challenges to democratic governance, social justice, and the functioning of political institutions. Brexit provides a real-world example of populism's profound effects.
Populism is a political approach that appeals to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. It often involves a charismatic leader or movement claiming to represent the 'common people' against a perceived 'corrupt elite,' frequently leveraging issues like immigration, economic inequality, or national sovereignty to gain support.
Facts & tables
- Characteristics
- Appeals to 'the people' vs. 'the elite,' often anti-establishment, nationalist, and uses simplified solutions to complex problems.
- Drivers
- Economic stagnation, social inequality, perceived loss of control, and distrust in traditional political institutions.
- Consequences
- Can lead to political polarization, instability, erosion of democratic norms, and difficulty in addressing complex policy challenges.
- Manifestations
- Brexit campaign's focus on 'Take Back Control' and immigration, subsequent political rhetoric.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Conservative Party (UK) | Political party whose internal divisions contributed to brexit referendum |
| UK Parliament | Legislative body affected by political polarization and instability |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Populism appeals to 'the people' against 'the elite.'
- Brexit was a manifestation of populist sentiment (immigration, control).
- Led to political instability (frequent PM changes) and deep societal divisions.
- Hindered effective governance and policy-making.
- Often exploits economic grievances and social anxieties.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Governance
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
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Britain after Brexit, divided, uncertain and stagnant
Populism, driven by economic grievances and anti-immigrant sentiment, fueled Brexit and subsequently led to deep political divisions, frequent changes in leadership, and an inability to address structural problems in the UK, illustrating its destabilizing impact on democratic governance.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2021–2022 · 2 questions
In the news
Britain after Brexit, divided, uncertain and stagnant
Populism, driven by economic grievances and anti-immigrant sentiment, fueled Brexit and subsequently led to deep political divisions, frequent changes in leadership, and an inability to address structural problems in the UK, illustrating its destabilizing impact on democratic governance.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.
2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Sh. N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, in his Report namely Reorganization of the Machinery of Central Government in 1950 recommended for the grouping of ministries, improvement in the capabilities of the personnel, and also in the working of the O&M Division. It nowhere mentions that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. Statement 2 is correct. In 1970, based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Department of Personnel was set up in the Cabinet Secretariat. It was placed under the Prime Minister's Office.
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection ' to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol. It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected every month. Statement 1 is correct. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority concerning coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India. Statement 2 is correct. It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for the opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to the CCO. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957- the Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government's Notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing land and to furnish his reports to the Central Govt. Statement 4 is incorrect. Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO).
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members: * The Prime Minister (who chairs the council)
* Ministers of the Union Cabinet
* Chief Ministers of the States The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._