The Power of Populism

Jonathan Last: “Republican elites will not determine whether or not Donald Trump wins the nomination. They have little-to-no power to influence that outcome.”

“Trump is a populist. His power emanates from the voters. And Republican voters have spent the last seven years refusing to do what they were told. They want what they want…”

“The Republican party as currently constituted is a populist party. This brings certain advantages. For instance, the party has broadened its appeal to racial minorities by focusing on working-class voters.”

“It also comes with disadvantages. For instance, the party’s voters are anti-establishment—up to and including their party’s own establishment. So elites have less influence over the direction of the institution.”