Word: populists
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That potential scenario infuriates many members of Thailand's elite, who believe that Thaksin, far from being a populist democrat, is actually a corrupt politician who distorted democratic institutions to cement his power. Since late May, thousands of protesters have camped out in central Bangkok calling for Samak to resign because they believe he is little more than a Thaksin puppet. Samak begs to differ, telling TIME recently that he doesn't consult with his predecessor on political issues. "I can do [it] on my own," he says...
...Thaksin effect pleases rural voters, who were charmed by the former P.M.'s populist health-care and micro-financing policies. But members of Bangkok's middle class and élite, many of whom were angered by a tax-free $1.9 billion business deal that Thaksin and his family profited from while he was in office, are rather less happy. The military, which went to the trouble of toppling him in 2006, surely is also irate over Thaksin's lingering shadow. (Thaksin himself has said he's done with politics, although his avowals have been rather less strenuous of late...
...lure away party stalwarts. Given the aura of their pedigreed leaders, the two parties still command a vast following among Bangladesh's population - a combined 80% by most estimates - and the length of the two begums' detention has drawn the ire of millions. As elsewhere in impoverished South Asia, populist dynasties hold strong. "Hasina had her shortcomings, but she is a legendary figure," says Abdur Razzaq, a prominent member of the Awami League. "Charisma is very important; it really means something...
There are a number of paths Obama could take in trying to make the economy his issue. He could go on a populist tear, blaming all of today's economic problems on plutocrats and multinational corporations. He could distinguish himself as a speaker of unpleasant truths--like the fact that today's high gasoline prices are as much the fault of American drivers as of anybody else. He could offer a compelling vision of how he'd steer the U.S. toward a better future. He could show that he cares about today's economic troubles by throwing out proposal after...
...could do a bit of each. Obama is clearly uncomfortable with populist fire-breathing--he does say he wants to hit oil companies with a windfall-profits tax (which might discourage investment in new energy resources and would definitely not do much to help motorists), but that's arguably less pandering than McCain's proposal for a gas-tax holiday, which Obama has outspokenly opposed. And while Obama says he wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and other such pacts, he usually makes a point of defending free trade and globalization in the same breath. This...