Retrieved from: YouTube. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 27, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/embed/MLL05uwR9ts?si=zi7evbV3HsRrTYvi

Retrieved from: Why make a documentary about democracy in Australia? | Big Deal. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ovFyHZzheU

Retrieved from: ABC News (Australia). (2025, November 9). Australia’s confidence in democracy declining, study finds | ABC NEWS. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lKzhMPouzA

Learn how the standard view that “America is democratic and China isn’t”, doesn’t really bear up under careful scrutiny.

Retrieved from: Ideas Roadshow - Measuring Democracy. (2019). ClickView. https://clickv.ie/w/KD_3

Popularism is on the rise globally. Rioting in the UK, a US election like never before and Australians feel their voices aren't being heard. What can leaders do to strengthen democracy and win back our attention and trust?

Retrieved from: Q&A - Is Democracy in Crisis? (2019). ClickView. https://clickv.ie/w/UD_3

Retrieved from: Scanlon Foundation Research Institute. (2025, April 2). Voices of Australia | From Fear to Misinformation: The Politics of Social Media. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKC4mD1FhUw

‌

The Rise of populism - Monash University - Video Summary:

Populism is a political approach that claims to represent the “true will of the people.” Populist leaders often present simple, catchy messages instead of detailed policies. They usually position themselves against the political establishment and say they are fighting for ordinary people who feel ignored.

In recent years, populism has grown in the US, Europe, and Australia. Many people turned to populist ideas because they were struggling economically, felt left out of politics, or believed that traditional parties weren’t listening to them.

Examples

• In the US, Donald Trump used simple slogans like “Make America Great Again” to appeal to people frustrated after the Global Financial Crisis.
• In Australia, parties like One Nation have gained support by raising concerns about immigration, national identity, and economic insecurity.

Why people support populism

• They feel they have lost opportunities or have not been rewarded for working hard.
• They are worried about job losses, globalisation, or rapid social change.
• They feel ignored by major political parties.
• They want answers to problems that seem complicated or unsolved.

Concerns about populism

• Populist messages can oversimplify issues or blame minority groups, even when these groups are not the real cause.
• Populist movements often rely on strong rhetoric but cannot always deliver on promises.
• Populist parties in Australia are usually small and unstable, so they rarely form government.

Populism in Australia

Australia’s experience of populism is less extreme than in some other countries. But issues like immigration, national identity, and economic inequality still influence voters.

Populist parties tend to:

• give frustrated voters more options,
• influence major parties to pay attention to certain issues,
• increase accountability in government.

Young people and democracy

Young Australians tend to accept diversity and see themselves as part of a global community. Universities help young people discuss important topics such as:

• free speech vs hate speech,
• inclusion,
• how to build a fair and civil society.

Generated from video transcript using ChatGPT - Monash University. (2018). The Rise of Populism - A Different Lens. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyxQ-A2bXT0

Retrieved from: Who runs the country? Lobbying in Australia | The Drum. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUJIY3UwdY

Learn about media ownership and its impact.

Retrieved from: Crash Course Media Literacy - Media Ownership. (2019). ClickView. https://clickv.ie/w/oE_3

antiestablishment

digital

disclosure

disinformation

interference

lobby

manipulation

media

misinformation

populism

reform

scrutiny

transparency

vested

Retrieved from: Dictionary.com. (2025). Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/

One Nation Party

One Nation — led by Pauline Hanson — is often seen as the most prominent populist party in Australia today. Since the 2025 federal election, support for One Nation has surged: its first-preference polling has risen to roughly 11–14 %. Their messaging often emphasises distrust of the “establishment,” playing on economic and cultural anxieties, especially around immigration and social change. 

Trumpet of Patriots (and recent right-wing populist upstarts)

In 2025, a newer political party called Trumpet of Patriots emerged — part of a wave of right-wing populist movements inspired by global populism trends. The party, and similar groups, attempt to channel anti-establishment sentiment, dissatisfaction with mainstream parties, and concerns about immigration or cultural change — a signature of populist politics.