Populism’s power resides in its malleability. But whatever the similarities in style, mode and mood between the left and right varieties of populism, it remains crucial to distinguish between them. As Jan-Werner Müller argues, the left-wing version targets enemies who are above the people: bankers, oligarchs, corporations, corrupt officials. Right-wing populism can also have some enemies above (such as cultural elites), but it focuses on enemies below: immigrants, minorities and ‘others’ of various kinds.
[Jefferson Cowie, LRB]