Growth in populism linked to loss of political loyalties

A loss of trust in political parties and the breakdown of networks that link them to voters are responsible for the rise of populist politicians such as US president Donald Trump, according to a Canberra academic.

 Australian National University political scientist Paul Kenny says a lack of traditional ties to political parties means populists tend to use their appeal to concentrate their power.

Kenny outlines his theories in a new book, Populism and Patronage, published by Oxford University Press. He argues that populism is a threat to democracy and undermines press freedoms and civil rights.