GOP needs to shed populism or continue to lose key elections

In recent years, populism has permeated political discourse and found a home in various political parties around the world, with political and electoral consequences. However, the Republican Party should tread cautiously when embracing populism, given evidence that populism on the right isn't popular among young voters.

Populism, defined as a political approach that seeks to appeal to the interests and concerns of ordinary people, often by making simplistic or unrealistic promises, has gained traction among disillusioned citizens who feel disconnected from traditional political establishments. While not all populist politicians are antidemocratic, they seek to put the desires of the many ahead of individual liberties and institutional processes, which could cut against the counter-majoritarian protections that our Constitution upholds.

Populist politicians tend to oversimplify complex issues and offer simplistic solutions that appeal to people's frustrations and fears. They stoke division and exploit people's anger, rather than engaging in substantive policy discussions. It's all about grabbing power. This approach may generate short-term gains and galvanize a specific base, but it ultimately fails to address the underlying problems facing our society.

According to the Pew Research Center, the populist right embraces anti-immigration views and believes that legal immigration must be decreased. Moreover, it is heavily critical of large corporations' impact on society, and supports higher taxes on the wealthy and on large corporations. Its adherents also favor protectionist trade policies such as imposing tariffs on imports to protect American corporations in the domestic market. These policies jeopardize the social fabric