Introduction
The Populist Playbook is a guide for political organizing in America. It includes ideas and strategies for organizing a new social movement, growing public power, resisting fascism, and building support for good leaders and popular programs.
This guide is written for people who are deeply disappointed with politics, parties, and the government. That might describe all of us, and that’s the point. It will take new innovative ideas and bold action by a majority of the people of this country to renew politics and recast our democracy.
We hope this guide inspires you to think critically and strategically about how you participate in politics and engage society.
Take from it what is useful to you and is most applicable for your community. And share this guide, its strategies, and tactics with your family, friends and neighbors.
Forward, together.
Contents
- Modern Organizing
- Guiding Principles
- Reorienting Engagement
- Civic Unions
- Public Investments
- Public Spaces
- Our Moment
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What is Populism
Populism is a type of political movement that stresses the virtue of the people and challenges society’s established leaders, institutions, practices, and policies.
It often pits ‘common people’ against ‘elites’. Elites might be used to describe corrupt politicians or greedy executives. This might include the directors of private companies and public institutions in tech, finance, education, health, and media.
Populist movements and leaders also rally people against systems, trends, and other people deemed ‘undesirable’. This has often been against socialism, capitalism, globalization, immigration, immigrants, national decline, or social justice.
For example: the Occupy Movement rallied ‘the 99%’ to stand up to ‘the 1%’ who control the global economy. It’s also Donald Trump rallying radical Republicans to demonize immigrants, the ‘woke mob’, and to dismantle the federal workforce.
Populist leaders often claim to “speak for the people”, or they might present their case directly to the people. They may even pitch themselves as the last best hope to “save the country” from collapse.
Populism is predominantly viewed in a negative light today, and the ‘populist’ label is commonly associated with despots and demagogues that claim to champion “the will of the people.” However, populist movements can take many forms and can work to advance any agenda.
Populism’s Appeal
Populism is a natural fit for today’s politics. This is a populist moment, with rather fluid ideologies and political positions.
The 2016 U.S. election saw the rise of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump—two independent candidates that highlighted the greviances of common people. Their messaging resonated with voters who were angry with the parties, its leaders, and with how the country was being run.
When anger and dissatisfaction are high, populism offers an effecitve set of tools and strategies to win elections and secure institutional power. That’s because it can:
- Effectively highlight social problems and tap into anger, pain, and resentment.
- Make complex issues simple, easier to understand, and more relatable.
- Employ messaging that is flexible and thus more likey to be broadly accepted.
- Effectively mobilize people to challenge existing systems and to vote for change.
Populism is an attractive force because it validates our personal and collective worth. Yet, stoking anger and mobilizing voters are only the first steps toward addressing a nation’s problems.
Unfortunately, that’s often where populist movements stop—before true progress can be made to improve people’s lives. Or, on the more sinister end, campaign promises of authoritarians may just be deceptions to hide an ulterior agenda.
Populist Eras
In modern history, populist movements have taken many forms. Through the following examples from around the world over the past few centuries, you can start to see some similarities with the current social and political climate in America.
Russian populism in the 1800s arose in opposition to czarism. It was comprised of various factions with different views on how to organize society, generally advocating for local control by rural communities and against technological advances used by capitalistic interests.
The People’s Party in the United States in the 1890s was a grassroots coalition of farmers, laborers, and activists organizing rural education efforts and building public power to effectively challenge aligned business interests.
In China, after World War I, the May Fourth and New Culture movements led by educated urban professionals aimed to elevate democratic practices above traditional values to counter the mistakes of a weak central government.
In Latin America, several populist eras marked the politics of the mid 1900s, with movements that arose in response to social and economic issues such as imperialism, inequality, and inflation.
Populist parties and leaders have risen to prominence across Europe in the 2000s. Right-wing populists in Hungary and Poland have gained the majority, while similar movements in Germany and France also have strong followings.
Other populist leaders from various political eras in America include: Andrew Jackson, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, William Jennings Bryan, Eugene Debs, and Dolores Huerta.
Seeing its pervasiveness, we ask: how can a populist movement be organized to heal political division? How can we make a lasting, positive impact on democracy?
United Movement
A new populist movement that includes everyone in its definition of ‘the people’ has the potential to unite Americans. It’s possible, right now, because people from all across the political spectrum are truly upset with politics and the government.
Recognizing that we share this burden, and the collective responsibility to act, can provide us with opportunities to connect, to work together, and to build trust.
Having a common problem and struggling together to overcome it has been the way that Americans throughout history have successfully advanced society and renewed democracy. We can do it again!
Transformation doesn’t happen because it’s time for a change. Movements start because people are furious and demand something better. The revolutions that succeed and improve life for the many, do so because they rally broad support and deep commitment to their cause.
An organized populist movement based on our shared experience and focused on addressing our basic needs can unite people from across the political spectrum.
The basic course of action outlined in this book encourages a united populace to:
- Galvanize around our dissatisfaction with politics and the government.
- Advance independent-minded leaders who will put people’s needs first.
- Identify the key issues and root causes of problems that need to be fixed.
- Organize to build consensus for policies and programs that address those issues.
Each of these steps will require people to deeply engage with other people and consider their perspectives and needs. It will also require well-coordinated efforts among a diverse coalition of groups.
This is the fundamental shift needed in American society. No political turmoil can be resolved until we change how people interact, debate, and work together.
Resisting Fascism
The stark reality is that we the people are facing a fascist regime actively dismantling public institutions and eroding democracy. This assault must be our first priority.
The people, with all their might, must obstruct and fight to curtail the directives coming from this corrupt and morally bankrupt administration. We must support neighbors and fellow Americans most affected by hastily contrived policies and the hateful rhetoric that it is proliferating.
Through this fight, we must find the will to work together as a united populace more so than ever before, because, if we do not fundamentally change our politics, we will end up in the same divided state after this regime has been deposed.
Fighting against and fighting for are part of one continuum of a democratic life. It is through the fight against fascism that we can lay the groundwork for a populist movement that has broad popular appeal.
Some important principles and concepts to consider as we underake this work are:
Recognition. People must realize this is a fight for American democracy. There can be no dillusion about this threat and no hesitancy to use all our tools and power.
Solidarity. It’s critical to understand that an attack on some of us is an attack on all of us. This is why it’s important to include everyone in our conception of the people.
Engagement. Trust is the currency of a populist movement. Personal relationships and collaboration will set the foundation of our resistance and our future society.
Priorities. Our focus must always remain on people and their needs. Committing to people-power and non-violent action allows us to maintain our advantages.
Activism. We should protest injustice, boycott bad actors, organize around issues we care about, and withhold money and labor at key moments to force action.
Electoral Strategies
The monopolies that political parties have over elections has increased polarization in society and among elected officials. This has created a toxic political culture where it is nearly impossible to pass laws and good leaders have few incentives to pursue politics or enter public service.
It will not be possible to address major issues in this country until we address this political divide and recast government. We need leaders and elected officials that can faithfully serve the interests of people.
To do what they think is best for their constituents and the nation, politicians need to be able to vote their conscience. This requires some level of independence from their party, as well as a broad base of support from voters and constituents.
Additionally, a working coalition is needed within all representative bodies to bridge the gap between factions and facilitate productive debate and compromise.
Here are a few principles and tactics we can employ to begin to close the political divide, advance competent leaders, and establish a more responsive government.
Competitive. Elected officials must be held to account and forced to defend their record. Incumbents should face debates and challenges in every election.
Independent. Incumbents with broad support should skip partisan primaries. This will encourage more competition among aspiring leaders in their district and reduce some fundraising demands.
United. When one party dominates, all voters should participate in that party’s primary election. This changes the overall composition of the voters who are selecting the eventual representative.
Populist. Candidates must be incentivized to serve the whole electorate. Appealing only to narrow interests and partisan voters in their districts has led to polarization at all levels of government.
Populist Platform
As people organize to recast government, the largest issues in our society also have the potential to bring people together.
This may seem counter-intuitive: to lean into and engage in some of our biggest problems and most divisive issues. Yet, all people have an interest in the following domains, which makes addressing them essential to forming durable coalitions.
The following domains are critical for society and demorcacy, and thus should constitute the core of a populist agenda.
Health. Health and care are concerns of individuals and of populations as a whole. How society cares for it’s people also has far-reaching impacts into all parts of life. There are many pernicious problems in America that relate to health and safety which have known intervensions. As a society, however, we lack the will to act. This is a stagnancy we must overcome.
Wealth. Money, financial stability, and resiliency are relevant to all people and critical for a healthy society and economy. Yet, great disparities in wealth, income, taxes, and access to credit persist. Resolving these issues will require people to lay the groundwork for compromise.
Work. Productivity is a national concern, and work is essential to personal agency, dignity, and standard of living. A good share of populist organizing will center around work, careers, and access to jobs.
Knowledge. Education and skills fuel progress, and informed people create stronger and more resilient societies. Ensuring access to education, information, and space for public discourse is critical.
Yet, a popular platform is not enough. People must be the engine of public discourse and mobilize major support.
In the next section, we discuss organizing tactics that a united populist movement can use to change political discourse.
Modern Organizing
There’s no perfect way to be politically active. Yet, on the whole, we need to recognize that business as usual hasn’t produced significant results in decades.
The type of organizing we need involves getting out of our comfort zones and talking with a wider range of people.
Notably, political parties are not currently built for this type of engagement. Their focus has been on mobilizing voters that are already in alignment on issues, which means they do not engage a large portion of the electorate or population.
A populist movement that welcomes all people, gives us a chance to bring a critical mass of people together to find common ground on key issues.
To bolster non-partisan political organizing efforts, we outline in this section several principles, strategies, and ideas to orient a united populist movement in America.
Guiding Principles
For America to be whole and healthy, the following principles must play a central role in political organizing.
Fairness. We must see each other as people on equal footing who deserve respect, tolerance, latitude, trust, and empathy—no matter the perceived costs.
Stability. Democracies must control their ambition and create sustainable systems. This allows people and culture to flourish, and for society to advance and evolve.
Justice. Stability, though, cannot come at the expense of justice. All people need the chance to secure a better life, free from racism, sexism, and oppression.
The American people are resilient. We can survive all manner of threats, revolutions, and sea changes. But it’s critical that we find ways to work together in honest cooperation to develop a new and sustainable version of democracy.
Reorienting Engagement
Politicians recognize the importance of such principles to their constituents, and some political parties incorporate populist ideas and programs into their platforms.
However, very little progress has been made in recent decades, trust has eroded, and the standard of living has declined. This is a failure of political leadership, but blame also rests with the public.
Running the country is a collective responsibility. If the political culture is toxic and political leaders are failing, it is up to the people to fundamentally change how political games are played.
That time is now. We must reconfigure how we organize and grow public power. People also need to boldly exercise and demonstrate their collective power.
A populist approach can reorient how we engage politics and shift us away from practices that lead to division.
Here are several ways that a populist, people-first movement can redirect our energy and re-invigorate political culture.
Parties. We should starve PACs and poorly-performing political parties. We will see better returns on investments by spending time and money in other places.
Organizing. Political organizing must increasinly take place outside of parties. Working with non-partisan groups and in workplaces can allow us to develop resources and practices accessible to all.
Leadership. We should support leaders who work for all people and who commit to advancing popular ideas and policies—no matter their party affiliation or lack of.
Independence. We need elected officials who can vote independently and aren’t bound by special interests or party.
Elections. There is no democracy without fair elections open to all voters. We must fund elections and protect voting rights.
Civic Unions
Democracy is failing in America. To break this gridlock, people must be willing to try new organizing approaches. One model with the potential to increase trust across divides is non-partisan civic unions.
In contrast to parties and campaigns that simply mobilize voters, civic unions focus on populist issues with broad appeal and welcome all people to contribute to finding common ground and consensus.
This model aims to promote cooperation and solidarity among dynamic networks of people. It also works to establish a platform to contribute collective wisdom to the public decision making process.
Civic unions, operating autonomously to serve their communities, might orient their work to promote the health of their constituents and the stability of their economies—effectively serving as local laboratories for new ideas and recruiting leaders to public service.
Local non-partisan organizing is already happening. We need to learn from these groups and then expand and proliferate their practices so more people have space to collaborate outside of political parties.
Here are a few areas where civic unions might choose to focus their energy to fill in gaps of service, support, and activism.
Service Programs
- Food insecurity
- Adequate housing
- Knowledge sharing
- Job fairs and networking
- Cultural understanding
Political Activites
- Deep canvassing
- Circulating petitions
- Leadership development
- Increasing civic participation
- Public deliberation and discourse
- Establishing consensus positions
- Electing competent leaders
Public Investments
A populist movement must advocate for wisely spending public funds and attracting investment. Ideally, more resources will go toward democracy-building programs in the following areas.
Education. Public education and life-long learning opportunities are essential to maintain and advance democracy. Public funding for education must increase.
Journalism. Democracy requires people to be informed. We must support, fund, and read indepdendent, news-focused publications that employ reporters.
Deliberation. Discourse and debate cannot be left to elected officials. People from all backgrounds need to contribute their perspectives and wisdom to politics.
Mutual aid. We must support programs that directly serve communities. Solidarity makes society more resilient and can help reduce the need for issues to be political.
Public Spaces
People and movements need space to gather, grow, and flourish. In a democratic society that includes having an abundance of physical and online spaces that are open and accessible to all people.
Here are some features and priorities to consider when developing public spaces and the healthy cultures around them.
Third spaces. People need places to gather freely with neighbors and friends in addition to their homes and workplaces.
Public spaces. Democracies must provide and adequately maintain diverse types of low-cost and no-cost beautiful spaces.
Welcoming spaces. Public spaces should welcome everyone and instill a culture of respect and tolerance for all people.
Deliberative spaces. Some spaces, both online and in-person, should be dedicated to public discussion and open debate.
Our Moment
It may feel odd to focus on the future when the current political moment feels so frought. But the reality is that we won’t alleviate this political turmoil until we fully change the culture and behaviors that have allowed our politics to become toxic.
We must live the revolution we seek. We must design and develop new ideas in real time through coordinated action. Creating the world anew is part of fighting against authoritarianism and its influence.
So while it is absolutely critical to say “no” to leaders in power who fail and oppress the people, our momentum cannot stop once they are removed from office.
The people must demonstrate—from the ground level, up to the highest office—that power and influence should be used for the benefit of all, not the enrichment of some at the expense of democracy. This is a critical moment—perhaps our only chance to form a lasting union.
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Readings
Guides + Reports
Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink (2024)
Action Guide for Advancing Community Wealth Building in the U.S. (2023)
The Primary Problem (2021)
Our Common Purpose (2020)
Books
Hegemony How-To: A Roadmap for Radicals. Jonathan Matthew Smucker
The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism. Thomas Frank
Politics is for Power: How to move beyond political hobbyism, take action, and make real change. Eitan Hersh
No Shortcuts: Organizing for power in the new gilded age. Jane McAlevey
Strengthening Congress. Lee Hamilton
The Abolition of White Democracy. Joel Olson
The Death and Life of American Journalism. Robert McChesney and John Nichols
Essays
Modern Populace
Quotes
‘The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.’ – George Washington (1796)
‘A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.’ – James Madison (1822)
“We are slow to realize that democracy is a life; and involves continual struggle. It is only as those of every generation who love democracy resist with all their might the encroachments of its enemies that the ideals of representative government can even be nearly approximated.” – Robert M. La Follette (1911)
‘But if we put our trust in the common sense of common men and “with malice toward none and charity for all” go forward on the great adventure of making political, economic and social democracy a practical reality, we shall not fail.’ – Henry A. Wallace (1944)
“In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are.” – Eleanor Roosevelt (1963)
“I know that millions of Americans from all walks of life agree with me that leadership does not mean putting the ear to the ground to follow public opinion, but to have the vision of what is necessary and the courage to make it possible—not by force, violence, or intimidation, but by persuasion, example, and law.” – Shirley Chisholm (1972)
About
The Guide
This guide and its ideas were developed by Robert Beets and Modern Populace.
You can request additional copies of this book or have them sent to friends, family, elected officials, and local organizers.
The term ‘America’ is used to describe the society and life of the people in the United States more so than refer to any official government structures of the nation, states, territories, or tribal nations.
In this book, double quotation marks (“) denote spoken words and single quotation marks (‘) signify titles, terms, phrases, and written words.
Leaf Symbol
The oak leaf on the back cover symbolizes people power and the resiliency and strength that individuals and groups demonstrate every day.
Leaves and plants provide better political symbols and metaphors of popular cooperation than the animal mascots adopted by political parties.
We encourage you to use leaves and leaf symbols to identify and mark populist ideals—with solid, filled in leaves indicating good and just practices and hollow leaf outlines signifying unwanted practices or injustice.
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