Publications
Populism in South Africa: An Analysis
In recent years, political science scholars have studied populism trends around the globe. The general consensus amongst political science scholars is that populism is the product of failure of political leaders to address the needs of the people. Globalisation has been a major contributor in the rise of populism in developed countries.
Published 30 January 2025
South Africa is not immune to the tide of populism that has been rising in open, democratic societies.
South Africa's economy has performed poorly over the past decade and a half, with very low economic growth, and rising unemployment. Because of these economic challenges, South Africa has become a fertile ground for left-wing populists.
This paper analyses the trends of populism in South Africa in comparison to populism in other regions around the world. The paper concludes that there are similarities in the drivers of populism in South Africa, Latin America, Europe, and United States of America.
