Populism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Paperback – February 1, 2017 by Cas Mudde and, Cristobal Rovira Kaltwasser (Oxford University Press)

Populism is an informative and thorough introduction to its topic. The authors are steeped in populism and display their erudition in an accessible manner. Mudde’s and Rovira Kaltwasser’s ability to provide adroit, concrete examples by maneuvering around the world in search of the best illustrations is impressive. Given that kind of broad coverage, the book—as far as its real world examples go—has great scope. The approach of the book isn’t to analyze populism by way of one or three case studies; therefore, it does not leave the reader with a deep understanding of populism in any one country or region. The authors are particularly knowledgeable about Latin America, Europe, and the United States, but they touch on other countries as well. Readers coming to the book looking for an expose on Donald Trump’s place in populism will be disappointed; the shape-shifting reactionary, who at least campaigned as a right-wing populist, and as president at least treats the press as the authors argue populists do, only gets a brief mention as the book appears to have been written early in the primaries.

Having a textbook quality, the book possesses that category’s strengths and weaknesses. It is extremely well-organized and straightforward. The book is not dumbed down, but it attempts to diagram its points for an inexpert audience. Although it is well-written, clear, and polished, the book lacks personality and style, which is not to say it lacks a point of view. The absence of bold flavor does not make it a chore to read; on the other hand it doesn’t quicken one’s pulse either. However, this is not a failure of execution, merely an outcome of the book’s method and objective—an objective the book satisfies.

One comment on the substance of the text. First of all I find the authors arguments very convincing, and I appreciate their distinction of populist supply (leaders) and demand (people, the masses). The latter shows how populism is not simply a stratagem or means to arouse a base but also a way of thinking. This accords with my belief that conspiracy theories and their acceptance are a form of populist epistemology.