Populist Party of America (2002)
The Populist Party of America, founded in 2002, is a political party that claims to offer "real solutions" to American problems through the establishment of what they call a "constitutional democracy". The party believes that power in the hands of "political elites" has a much greater chance for corruption, and that prosperity can only exist when the sovereign people of the nation are in charge of their own political destiny.
The Populist Party strongly supports decentralized government, and opposes any federal government action which is not specifically authorized by the United States Constitution. Thus, the party opposes war without a Congressional declaration, federally-run education, and many other government activities that have become common in the nation’s day-to-day life.
Although quite libertarian in appearance with their calls for adherence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Populist Party differs from the Libertarian Party and Constitution Party in their proposed solutions to what they call a “failed Constitution” and “failed federal government.” Many of the opinions stated in the "Commentary" section of their website are actually leftist.
The Populist Party calls for a complete overhaul of the system of government in the United States, which they seek to achieve through the growth of a peaceful, “people-based” movement. They advocate direct citizen legislation with a “strict adherence to the Bill of Rights serving to protect the liberties of every person.”
The Populist Party has yet to run any candidates of its own. During the 2004 U.S. presidential election, a message on its website suggested a vote for the Libertarian Party, the Constitution Party, or Ralph Nader.
See also
- Democracy
- Direct democracy
- Populism