I'm going to argue that...kind of? Disclaimer; this political knowlege is purely US-centric so my examples and explanation might not map directly well onto other populist movements like those in Indonesia or Latin America. Overall trends in the last decade indicate that the world is becoming less 'democratic' and more populist and authoritarian. Populism is a contested term meaning that academics can't really decide on one definition, but we know it when we see it. But there are some trends when it comes to defining what populism is and one of them is the left/right divide. Before I try to explain what I mean by this, I'll point out the identifiable features of a populist movement: an entity called 'the People,' an enemy called 'the Elites,' a leader or figurehead, and a grievance (usually economic). In a purely US context, both the Bernie and Trump campaigns fit into this category, and thats because they are both populist movements. Movements that are trying to find (or rediscover) a more genuine expression of what it means to be an American. What distinguishes the two is the expression of these populist drivers. Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau argue that populism can be read and understood as a spirit of political engagement and within that we can have a left populism and a right populism. Right populism is what we see in the news a lot (especially on left leaning news sources like CNN or MSNBC). Removed from the US context, left refers to progressive ideas that try to establish civil debate that is necessary for democracy. Left populists only really blame the authority and the elites for the injustice they see. Right refers to an antagonistic division in a democracy that is destructive to the democratic process. Right populists blame elites and scapegoat other groups in their society, directing their ire in two different directions (up and down). So when I say I kind of agree with the overall statement there is a caveat. The global rise in populism is concerning but overall speaks to the notion that people feel disconnected and disenfranchised. How we decide to address that disenfranchisement is what will characterize the new world order. We see plenty left populist movements, like Podemos in Spain. These movements can reassure progressives that populism doesn't just have to be destructive, but can actually spark a reinvestment in the genuine spirit of democratic ideals.

**According to Freedom House, the world is becoming less democratic overall.** - According to a 2021 [press release](https://freedomhouse.org/article/new-report-global-decline-democracy-has-accelerated) from Freedom House, the world is becoming less democratic lately, and has reached a new low point since the negative trend began in 2006. - Fewer than a fifth of the world's people live in "full freedom", defined as living unencumbered by any type of authoritarian or dictatorial force(s). - "Authoritarian foes" have [shifted the "international balance in favor of tyranny"](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2021/democracy-under-siege): "Incumbent leaders increasingly used force to crush opponents and settle scores, sometimes in the name of public health, while beleaguered activists—lacking effective international support—faced heavy jail sentences, torture, or murder in many settings." - Democracy is in decline for many reasons, examined more in depth [here]( https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2021/democracy-under-siege), but among them: - COVID-19 pandemic responses - Climate change - mass displacement - New nationalist, xenophobic, and racist policies as a result of climate and health changes