Historians Have Long Thought Populism Was a Good Thing. Are They Wrong?

  Interesting.  There is a definite case for serious social and other changes to break the power of the 'elites' but there is the danger, as with any system that seeks to include a large number of people, that it seeks to cater for the lowest common denominator and for simplistic solutions. 

  I'm not sure I agree fully with Hofstadter's argument that popularists were only looking backwards to an earlier age that can't be restored.  Think there is a lot of prospects for small businesses and inovators if the facilities are then to prevent massive organisations hogging power and wealth.  That probably makes me a popularist but I would strongly oppose any suggestion I was racists or sought to discriminate against any groups.  [Other than possibly bankers and chief execuatives. ]