Rise of Populism and Political Polarization

Populist leaders have gained power by appealing to public dissatisfaction with traditional elites, using nationalism, economic discontent, and anti-establishment rhetoric. Political polarization has been fueled by social media, economic inequality, cultural conflicts, and declining trust in institutions. These trends pose challenges to democracy, weakening checks and balances, increasing social divisions, and impacting global stability. Addressing these issues requires reinforcing democratic norms, improving media literacy, and promoting economic inclusion to bridge political divides.