anti-populism
|an-ti-pop-u-lism|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈpɑp.jəˌlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈpɒp.jəˌlɪzəm/
opposition to populism
Etymology
'anti-populism' originates from the combining form 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' via Latin meaning 'against') and 'populism' (from Latin 'populus' meaning 'people' with the English suffix '-ism' forming doctrines), creating a modern English compound meaning 'against populism'.
'populism' derives from Latin 'populus' ('the people') and entered modern European languages as terms for people-centered politics; 'anti-' as a prefix meaning 'against' came from Greek through Latin into English. These elements combined in modern English to form 'anti-populism' in the 20th century in discussions of political ideology.
Initially, 'anti-' simply signified 'against' and 'populism' referred broadly to movements appealing to 'the people'; over time the compound came to denote a specific political stance or set of measures opposing populist politics and rhetoric.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to populism as a political ideology or movement; a stance or ideology that resists or rejects populist appeals to 'the people' and often favors institutional, technocratic, or elite-led solutions.
Anti-populism among some intellectuals emphasizes expert-led policy over charismatic mass appeals.
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Noun 2
practices, policies, or rhetoric aimed at countering populist leaders or movements, including legal, media, or institutional measures taken to limit populist influence.
Governments sometimes adopt anti-populism measures to curb demagogic leaders.
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Last updated: 2025/11/15 18:43