Syncretic Populism
The Play
"Syncretic populism" is all about using a masterful blend of elements from different aspects of the political spectrum to create a compelling, broad-based appeal to lead. In practice, this approach transcends traditional left-right or progressive-conservative boundaries, engaging a diverse constituency through a mix of policies and rhetoric.
By exploiting widespread disillusionment with traditional political labels, elected authoritarians craft a relatable narrative and present themselves as "one of the people," genuinely attuned to the public's concerns and lived experiences.
In some cases, syncretic populism goes beyond mere words as it also manifests in actions. It is a rhetoric that, once in power, sometimes translates into tangible material benefits for the people, addressing their immediate needs.
By providing practical solutions and showing responsiveness to everyday issues, new authoritarians reinforce their appeal and foster loyalty among a diverse base of supporters.
What does it look like?
1. A leader above traditional political divisions
Syncretic populism involves creating a multifaceted political persona that transcends traditional ideological divisions. This blending is crafted so that the leader appears responsive to a wide range of societal needs and people's concerns in everyday life. The ideological mixture helps cultivate an image of the leader as an all-encompassing protector of the people, capable of addressing a diversity of public desires.
2. Direct communication
New authoritarian leaders exploit direct communication channels, particularly social network platforms, to bypass traditional media. In this way, they directly engage with the public and are able to target specific audiences.
3. Policies that deliver for a wide spectrum of constituencies
Once in power, syncretic populism transforms the narrative used to gather support into policies that strategically combine different ideological elements. This approach is both opportunistic and deliberately structured to secure the leader's base by addressing a range of issues that matter to various voter groups. For instance, a leader might adopt conservative positions on issues like nationalism and immigration, while leaning left on topics such as economic populism and social benefit policies.
Who's done it?
El Salvador: Nayib Bukele
Breaking Away from Failed Ideologies
Although his political origins were linked to one of the main parties in El Salvador, Bukele won his first presidential term presenting himself as an independent and new candidate who went beyond the traditional divide, "Left (FMLN) vs. Right (Arena)," that had ruled the country since the 1980s.
To achieve this, Bukele surfed the wave of citizen discontent with the two traditional parties, portraying them as equally corrupt and out of tune with the population's needs. In contrast, he staged a fresh new era in which traditional divides were overcome, breaking old paradigms and focusing on solving the problems of the Salvadoran people.
"The future that we are building today does not depend on the Right or the Left; it does not depend on the failed ideologies from the eighties."
Hungary: Viktor Orbán
Syncretic Communication
Orbán masterfully links popular social policies with nationalist and conservative messages. His rhetoric strongly emphasizes Hungarian national pride, Christian values, and the protection of Hungarian culture against perceived external threats like the European Union or immigration. Simultaneously, he effectively communicates the implementation of social and economic policies, such as family subsidies and housing assistance, which appeal to lower-income and working-class voters —groups traditionally associated with the left.
"Family is at the centre of the Hungarian government's vision of the future. Strong families will create a strong and competitive society and economy, a strong and competitive Hungary and Europe."
India: Narendra Modi
Syncretic Policy Making
Modi's approach adopts a strong nationalist stance, heavily emphasizing Hindu cultural pride and India's global stature. Right-wing policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act appeal to these nationalist sentiments by prioritizing non-Muslim immigrants in the citizenship process. Concurrently, Modi has launched numerous initiatives that resonate with traditionally left-leaning economic agendas by addressing the needs of the underprivileged and economically disadvantaged. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala scheme provided free cooking gas connections to 103 million poor households. Additionally, he introduced programs that led to the opening of 450 million zero-interest bank accounts for the unbanked and the construction of 25 million low-cost, affordable homes for those without shelter. These policies allow Modi to show his government transcending traditional left-right divides for the welfare of all Indians.
"When people see that we are putting national interest above politics, the support for our policy becomes broad-based."
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