Kamala Harris Condemns 'Populism' as 'Threat to Democracy'
'Today, we face crises on almost every front'
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Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris claimed the rise of “populism” poses a threat to democracy everywhere.
Harris also noted other "threats" such as the coronavirus and climate change which are putting the world at risk.
During an International Women’s Day address to the European Parliament, Harris warned about populism's rise.
“Today, we face crises on almost every front," Harris began.
"A pandemic that has taken the lives of more than two and a half million people worldwide."
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"A changing climate threatens the future of our Earth."
“A rise in populism is working to undercut democracies everywhere," Harris stated.
"Neither the United States nor Europe is immune from these threats.”
WATCH:
Populism is dedicated to the best interests of the common people, not the establishment, according to Merriam-Webster’s definition of “populist”:
1. “A member of a political party claiming to represent the common people especially, often capitalized: a member of a U.S. political party formed in 1891 primarily to represent agrarian interests and to advocate the free coinage of silver and government control of monopolies."
2. “a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people.”
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Antonyms for populists include "snob" and "snoot," and antonyms for "populism" include "elitism," "repression," and "exclusivity."
Harris even invokes “the strength of all people" to combat the threat to democracy of populism.
“Today, it is essential that we work together to advance those principles that strengthen democracies: accountability and transparency, the rule of law and human rights."
“And, let us not overlook the opportunities right in front of us to do that."
"We know that the strength of our democracies and the strength of every nation on Earth depends on the strength of all people.”
“Finally, we must give women equal voice in decision-making, for this is essential to free and fair democracies,” Harris concludes.
