Distrust as Populism’s Amplifier

Elite errors (wars, bailouts, pandemic missteps) do not directly create populist movements; instead they erode public trust in institutions, which then amplifies cultural and partisan grievances into mass anti‑establishment politics. The distinction matters because repairing institutions (transparency, accountability) reduces susceptibility to populist mobilization even if elite mistakes continue. — Shifting policy from 'correcting misinformation' to rebuilding institutional trust changes what remedies (oversight, openness, value signaling) are likely to blunt populist momentum.