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Explained in plain English

How do leaders use populism?

Populist leaders often simplify complex issues, blaming a small 'elite' or 'outsiders' for problems, and presenting themselves as the voice of the 'ordinary people'. This tactic, seen in the far-right narratives targeting Britain, can bypass traditional media through platforms like Facebook, directly appealing to strong emotions and a sense of grievance among their audience.

Stories that explain this

Facebook ignores AI-generated far-right UK videos with millions of views

Questions this opens up

What is 'the elite'? How do leaders gain trust? What is 'us vs them'?

This explainer came from a news story

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