Well, I believe there is a difference between propoganda and populism, but I haven't yet checked any adverts. :)

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I guess propoganda is often a vital component of a populist message, but check out the poster - as an ex-drummer/footballer it had, for a brief moment, quite a powerful attraction.

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Are you saying that propaganda mostly is populists' prerogative?

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I wouldn't say that exactly because I am often not sure what qualifies as populism (which is what the post was about). It seems to have negative connotations here in Latvia as an appeal to the ill-informed working classes. Actually, I think there is a psuedo better-informed sector that feels it is above this kind of appeal and looks down its nose at it. I shouldn't generalise, but seeing as I have started, I would ahem "classify" them thus: a sort of 'ir'-reading, sort-of-creative, economically liberal group who value the appearance of rationality.

I am not convinced of their rationality (or their creativity, but then I am an awful snob with a pretty terrible character); moreover, I think they are suckers for a populist message themselves (one they would consider anti-populist).

As for me, I would like to see a well-informed populist backlash representing the working class. The trouble is that within the global political and financial systems we are living, any movement of this kind is bound to wither and dissapoint, and any rallying cries it summons seem like empty crass (populist) words.

Didn't answer your question, did I?

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