Michael Reid argues that populism has two main characteristics, both of which have a distinct contemporary relevance. First of all, it is a ‘brand of politics in which a strong, charismatic leader purports to be a saviour, blurring the distinction between leader, government, party and state, and ignoring the need for the restraint of executive power through checks and balances. Second, populism has often involved redistribution of income and/or wealth in an unsustainable fashion.’
