Populism Today

     This week in class, we discussed populism and how its historical definition can still be seen in today's society. I remembered that the Constitution was revised many times so that average citizens would have the opportunity to voice their opinions which was the goal of populists. Every American wants their voice to be heard and to become something bigger so when citizens are denied this opportunity, they have a right to fight for their voices to be heard. President Obama's State of the Union Address stressed the importance of giving everyone the chance to live out the American promise which is if you work hard, you will be successful. There is a major populist undertone in many of the solutions of the nation demonstrated by the start of the Occupy Movements. Although demonstrators see the need for better wealth distribution of the nation, David Brooks argues that there is also a need for an elite class to support and benefit lower classes.