| The American 2016 presidential election has attracted unprecedented attention.In this election,Donald Trump – a businessman without any political experience – unexpectedly won the nomination of the Republican Party overwhelmingly in the primary election and ultimately defeated Hillary Clinton – the nominee of the Democrat Party with abundant experience in politics – in the general election.Trump is well known for his controversial political discourses and proposals in this election.And that is the reason why he is disparaged by mainstream media and elites as a populist demagogue who is adept at agitating ordinary Americans’ resentments to the government,elites,ethnic groups and immigrants for the purpose of his political end.As a consequence,the relationship between Trump’s rise and American populism has become the most popular topic in this election.Based on the origin and connotation of American populism,this thesis aims at exploring the inheritance and relevance of Trump’s presidential campaign and the tradition of American populism.Furthermore,it will also seek to analyze the embodiment of populism in Trump’s electioneering in a comprehensive and objective way according to three major themes of populism – Americanism,people supremacy,and anti-elitism.American populism has been revived with powerful vitality in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign,wining an unparalleled victory within the political arena.In the first place,based on the campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again”,Trump held high the banner of change to appeal to millions of Americans to gather people to his side.Secondly,Trump proclaimed to regard “America First” as the supreme principle of his administration,proposing “America First” foreign policy and economic proposal,and stirring up people’s patriotism feelings.Thirdly,as for those “forgotten” and “marginalized” white working class Americans,Trump launched a surge of resentful emotions – including discontent of exclusion from prosperity,xenophobic racism,and a sense of crisis among white evangelical Christians – as well as a nostalgia among white male working class masculinity.Additionally,by evoking disenchantment of the political establishment and the mainstream media,Trump deepened the antagonism between the masses and the elites,assailing the doctrine of “Political Correctness” relentlessly,and finally winning trust and endorsement of numerous voters who elevated him as the champion of the people.Looking back Trump’s way to the White House,he did not simply regard populism as a campaign strategy but delivered his political ideas and proposals in an attractive populist rhetoric.And ultimately,by gathering the strength of populism,Trump scaled the political pinnacle of presidency. |
