# Why is Populism So Popular? **URL:** **By** Tom G. Palmer, Trevor Burrus, Aaron Ross Powell **Published:** September 12, 2019 --- Tom Palmer comes back to the show to address the rise of authoritarian populism and what it means for the state of politics in the U.S. There is no doubt that we are in a global tend of authoritarian populism. Tom Palmer joins the show today to discuss how populism comes in many kinds of poison. He points to our disorderly immigration system as one of the reasons that populist rhetoric thrives in the United States. As there is more havoc at the border, it is perceived as an invasion rather than a flaw in our system. Do you think that the Republican Party is the new Populist Party? What is populism? Is there a clear distinction between democracy and populism? What is the idea of the ‘loyal opposition’? ## Further Reading: [Animal Farm](https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell/dp/0451526341), written by George Orwell [The Terrifying Rise of Authoritarian Populism](https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/terrifying-rise-authoritarian-populism), written by Tom G. Palmer [The Virtue of Nationalism](https://www.amazon.com/Virtue-Nationalism-Yoram-Hazony/dp/1541645375), written by Yoram Hazony ## Related Content: [What’s Wrong with National Conservatism?](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/whats-wrong-with-national-conservatism), Free Thoughts Podcast [Vice in The Virtue of Nationalism](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/vice-virtue-nationalism), written by Akiva Malamet [Is Liberalism in Danger?](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/is-liberalism-in-danger), Free Thoughts Podcast