Populist Tendencies and Outcome of General Elections 2018

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of populist tendencies in Pakistan’s political landscape with a special focus on the 2018 General Elections. It explores how populist rhetoric, anti-elite narratives, and charismatic leadership influenced voter perceptions and political outcomes. The paper situates Pakistan’s experience within global populist trends, comparing it with movements led by figures such as Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Through a historical and analytical approach, it evaluates how Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), employed populist discourse to mobilize diverse social groups and challenge established political elites. The study concludes that populism, while effective as a mobilizing force, faces structural limitations in governance and policy implementation within Pakistan’s fragile democratic system.

Keywords: Populism, Electoral Politics, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Political Communication, Anti-Elite Rhetoric, 2018 General Elections Democracy in Pakistan