Populism, World Politics and Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: An Appraisal

This article provides a critical appraisal of the rise of populism as a major force in 21st-century world politics and its impact on foreign policy. It examines the key characteristics of contemporary populist movements and leaders, both on the right and the left, highlighting their anti-elite, anti-establishment, and nationalist rhetoric. The study analyzes the underlying causes of the populist surge, linking it to the economic dislocations of globalization, cultural anxieties, and a widespread public disillusionment with mainstream political parties. The research then explores the profound impact of populism on foreign policy. It argues that populist leaders often pursue a more nationalistic, unilateralist, and protectionist foreign policy, which poses a significant challenge to the liberal, rules-based international order. The paper concludes that the rise of populism is not a fleeting phenomenon but a structural feature of contemporary world politics with long-term and transformative consequences.

The second decade of the 21st century has been marked by a powerful global wave of populism, a phenomenon that has upended the politics of many countries and profoundly challenged the international order. This paper offers a comprehensive appraisal of this development. The first part of the study is a conceptual analysis, which seeks to define the often-elusive concept of populism. It identifies its core features as a political style that pits a virtuous and homogenous "people" against a corrupt and self-serving "elite." The second part of the paper is an examination of the deep-seated structural causes of the recent populist surge. It analyzes the economic grievances of the "losers" of globalization and the cultural backlash against the values of multiculturalism and social liberalism as the two key drivers. The core of the article is an in-depth analysis of the impact of populism on foreign policy. Using the key examples of Donald Trump in the United States and the Brexit movement in the UK, the paper demonstrates how populist leaders have consistently challenged the core tenets of the post-World War II liberal international order. This includes a rejection of multilateralism in favor of a narrow, "America First" or "take back control" style of nationalism, a deep skepticism of international institutions and alliances, and a strong preference for protectionism in trade policy. The findings suggest that the rise of populism represents the most significant challenge to the liberal international order from within the West itself. The paper concludes that this is not a temporary political mood but a deep-seated structural trend that will continue to shape world politics for the foreseeable future.