Populist candidates surge as public tires of ‘Washington insiders,’ UB political scientist says

Not too long ago, the talk of the 2016 presidential election revolved around Clinton Round 2 versus Bush Round 3.

It looked like a political dynasty was in the making. Hillary Clinton seemed well on her way to carrying on the family name, as Jeb Bush seemed poised to do the same, says Jacob Neiheisel, assistant professor of political science.

Then Donald Trump came along. And Ben Carson. Even Bernie Sanders has looked to pounce on Clinton’s early missteps.

“During the primaries, especially with a crowded field, it is all about differentiation,” says Neiheisel, who studies political parties and behavior. “People are sick of the establishment. So what you are seeing is a resurgence of the populist candidate. I can’t remember a time where we have had so many candidates claim the populist label.”

Economic inequality, dissatisfaction with traditional political parties, the crowded field and the threat of a political dynasty created a perfect scenario for this resurgence, Neiheisel says.

Populism flares up at different times depending on the political climate, he says, and comes up again and again. This time, there are parallels between Trump, Carson, Sanders and the William Jennings Bryan era.

“Sanders represents the economic side of what it has historically meant to be a populist, while the candidates on the right are more closely aligned with the anti-science, anti-immigrant views of early populists,” Neiheisel says. “The great irony with Trump is that in many ways he represents the antithesis of the economic populist. As a political outsider, though, he is able to appeal by being someone who is not a Washington insider — a desire that was very much in evidence during the Gilded Age and other periods of economic inequality in the country.”

In the past, he says, populism has not been too successful. However, it is a surprise that Trump and Carson have not been challenged on the Republican side.

“I think we could see a populist elected this time, but after the primary they will have to play ball with the major parties and will have to give a little bit on what their policy positions are,” Neiheisel says. “But one thing is clear: The public seems to be tired of Washington insiders.”