There is no clear definition of populism, but it can be defined as the act of providing simple solutions to complex political ideologies. Over the years, there has been a rise in populism ideas throughout the world because of immigration issues. Cas Mudde, who is a professor at the University of Georgia, describes populism as a thin ideology that only represents only a small section of a political agenda. He adds that populistic ideas usually thrive during a time of change and uncertainty. Regional differences also play a critical role in establishing populism, especially when there is a difference in race and economy. In this essay we shall discuss the impact and role of financial institutions, we shall utilize the book Wizard of Oz to identify the impact of financial institutions, geographical differences, money and leaders on Populistic ideas.
Populism on matters immigration in America has been on the rise, especially after the election of Donald Trump to be the American president. Even before he was voted in, he utilized populistic ideas regarding immigration to mobilize and rally people towards his cause. President Trump evolved from condemning previous American leaders of the challenges currently being experienced by Americans to presenting himself as the best option for solving various issues affecting the American population. Despite Donald Trump coming from a different social class than most of his supporters, he has managed to convince them that they share common values and ideas. Immigration has been a significant issue that has been exploited by Donald Trump to galvanize his support base. Statistics indicate that the populations of people living in America that were born outside America almost tripled from the 70s.
Major issues cited by Donald Trump that have been caused by immigration include security, unemployment and slow economic growth. During his campaign, Mr Trump stated that people who cross over from Mexico into America are not the best and that they have many problems and bring drugs and crime into the U.S.A. A number of these immigrants from Mexico and South America have been known to be used as drug smugglers into America. These immigrants can either have cartel affiliations or are just innocent people being used. However, not all immigrants are criminals, as others are searching for greener pastures for themselves and their families. An influx of immigrants into America not only leads to an increase in insecurity but also unemployment. Immigrants provide cheap labour which results in an increase in competition between American citizens and immigrants for jobs. Because immigrants are willing to take less cash, Americans would be forced out of employment.
These acts have also been portrayed and symbolized in the book The Wizard of Oz, where different characters represent different groups in society. The book describes the challenges faced by Dorothy, a young and naïve girl, as she tries to run away from home only to find herself lost. She is told to find the wizard who will help her, and the wizard symbolized the leader of Oz. Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow who represents farmers who have been exploited economically, the Tin Man who represents exploited factory workers and the Lion who represents politicians. The power struggle identified in the book indicates the current challenges affecting the current society where leaders often make promises they cannot keep and end up blaming other people for their failure.
Due to the harsh economic policies set up by leaders and politicians who thrive during these times, most farmers were facing bankruptcy while many factory workers were losing their jobs. Those who were profiting from the establishment of the gold standard urged Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road. Populism is seen through the cowardly Lion who championed for the introduction of silver into the gold standard to ease inflation. He understood peoples needs and exploited them and ultimately becoming the hero of the revolution. Majority of the people were being impacted negatively due to the use of the Gold standard, while few people who include leaders and banks profit. Money was used to control people and even affect their way of life. Populists wanted a 16 to 1 ratio of silver to gold to stabilize the economy and reduce the rate of inflation. Many characters in the book related to this as they were greatly affected by the harsh economic conditions apart from the financial institutions and those who controlled them.
Conclusion.
Politicians should desist using populist ideas to further their political agenda. Use of populist Agendas do not necessarily inspire unity but instead divides people into two groups, those in support and those against the idea. Politicians that adopt populism rarely sell their manifesto but the focus of reassuring their audience of safety from their insecurities. Populist movements are mostly brought up because of the current challenges affecting people at the time. Leaders of these movements do not provide the specific remedies to challenges currently affecting the people but instead push the blame. In the Wizard of Oz, leaders of the society are seen to be shifting blame from them so that they can continue holding on power. Populist leaders took advantage of this by demanding silver to be included in the gold standard since many people were in possession of silver.