Development in an age of populism

By Dr Marlene Attzs, Economist

Email: marlene.attzs@gmail.com

Recently, I attended an online World Bank conference on Development in the Age of Populism, and I thought of our own Trinidad and Tobago, our wider Caribbean, and even the world. I found myself reflecting on the catchy slogans and soundbites that have catapulted leaders into the spotlight—yet so often fail to deliver meaningful or lasting change.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the conversation about economic growth and development is increasingly overshadowed by this global wave of populism—a politics of anger and division that pits ‘the people’ against ‘the elites’. Here, too, we feel the pull of fiery rhetoric, bold promises, and quick fixes, even as our structural challenges—inequality, crime, weak institutions, and economic dependence—remain unresolved.

What is populism?

At its heart, populism can be described as a political style that divides society into “the pure, ordinary people” and “a corrupt or disconnected elite”. Populist leaders claim to speak directly for ‘the people,’ often bypassing institutions and expert advice, offering quick and dramatic fixes.

Populism resonates because it taps into real frustrations: it speaks to those who feel ignored, excluded, or betrayed by traditional politics. It acknowledges pain and anger in ways that more measured, technocratic voices often fail to.

Today, it feels as though the world’s anger is being fed by two forces moving in the same direction: geopolitics and economics.

Political conflicts—from wars and territorial disputes to sanctions, tariffs and power struggles—disrupt trade, raise prices, and create uncertainty. At the same time, economic pressure—rising living costs, widening inequality, and stagnant wages—many exacerbated by the pandemic five years ago, leave ordinary people feeling trapped and unheard.

Together, these forces reinforce each other: political instability deepens economic hardship, while economic frustration fuels political unrest. This colinear relationship, where economic and political pressures move together, has made the world angrier and more unstable and it reminds us that addressing only one side of the equation is never enough. Real progress demands that we tackle both the political and economic roots of people’s frustrations.

Why populism feels so attractive

It’s easy to understand why so many people gravitate toward populist rhetoric. It speaks directly to the hardships they experience every day, acknowledging their struggles in a way that feels immediate and personal.

Populism offers simple, straightforward answers to complex problems and crucially, it promises to fix them now, right away! It gives citizens a sense of being seen and heard, validating their frustrations and anger.

And it wraps these messages in memorable slogans and catchy phrases that unite people emotionally, creating a sense of shared purpose and belonging in the face of perceived indifference from traditional leaders.

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, where anger simmers over crime, high living costs, and inequality, populism finds fertile ground. People are tired of being told to ‘hold strain’, and they long for leaders who will act decisively.

The hidden costs of populism

But what often goes unspoken are the hidden costs of populism. It can weaken institutions and undermine the rule of law, eroding the very foundations that sustain a stable society.

In the rush to appease public anger, fiscal discipline is often ignored in favour of unsustainable spending, leaving economies vulnerable in the long run. Policies that may soothe frustrations in the short term often fail to address underlying problems, and in some cases, even deepen them over time. Perhaps most damaging, populism can divide society by blaming scapegoats for systemic issues, fostering resentment and mistrust instead of unity and collective responsibility.

Ironically, what is often dismissed as ‘elitist’—fiscal prudence, strengthening institutions, investing in long-term reforms—is exactly what is necessary for sustained growth, stability, and opportunity for all.

Bridging the divide

This false choice between populist pandering and elitist detachment has paralysed us. Neither alone can deliver the development we need.

We in Trinidad and Tobago must find the narrow road that leads to life, as scripture reminds us in Matthew 7:14—a middle ground or path that avoids both populist anger and elitist aloofness, a leadership that listens to citizens’ pain and anger, while grounding decisions in evidence, discipline, and long-term vision.

Development in the age of populism demands both empathy and expertise, the courage to confront uncomfortable truths, and the skill to craft policies that are inclusive, sustainable, and equitable.

We cannot ignore the anger. It is real and, in many ways, justified. But we also cannot let anger dictate policy. Slogans may win elections, but they do not create jobs or make streets safer.

A call to action

In the Caribbean, with our fragile and vulnerable economies, we must build trust, foster shared sacrifice, and articulate a vision of development that balances short-term relief with long-term resilience.

Our leaders must learn to speak clearly and candidly to citizens, translating data and policy into meaningful, human stories that people can understand and embrace.

Populism reminds us of what people feel. Evidence-based leadership shows us what works. Our task now is to marry the two: listening and leading, empathising and acting, addressing today’s pain while securing tomorrow’s promise.

Slogans may light the path to power, but only sound, inclusive, and disciplined development can light the path to true progress.

In the age of populism, our real choice is not between anger and apathy but between pandering and partnership. We must choose partnership, if we truly want to move forward. That’s just my point of view.