Why populism prospers

Economic development is about achieving increased prosperity.

- RATHNIN ROY

The first tasks involve overcoming calamities, deprivation, and physical insecurity. As countries progress to middle- and high-income status, they seek to increase prosperity over and above the basic state of animal existence

There are two facets to prosperity. The "how" the means to secure an existence that is predictable, raise children and secure basic needs; and the "what"the capabilities we want for our children, enjoyment of cultural, artistic and sporting activities, and the ability to engage fully in the society of ones' peers.

Thus, there are many levels to prosperity, each of which affords satisfaction. The celebration of festivals and the acquisition of clothing and personal ornaments are a universal pursuit. Education, beyond a basic level, allowing engagement in literary and cultural activities, is required only by a few. Football, to play and watch, is universally accessible, whereas "gentlemanly" sports like golf require access to more of the "hows" of prosperity.

When agriculture and manufacturing were the main income-generating economic activities, only those who owned agricultural and manufacturing assets (plus a rarefied few with specialised knowledge and skills) could aspire to higher levels of prosperity. For the rest, a society that provided access to basic needs and reasonable security from calamities was considered prosperous.

With the advance of modern capitalism, a new political ideology emerged, which demanded the democratisation of prosperity. The attempt to democratise access to the "whats" of prosperity was at the foundation of social democratic ideology in its socialist and conservative forms, as distinct from communism and fascism, which, respectively, emphasise hate of the other and class struggle.