Hawkish populism as honor politics

Some populist leaders combine anti‑elite, 'America‑first' rhetoric with a persistent willingness to use force when conflicts are framed as insults to national honor or unfinished victories. That mix lets populist coalitions be both skeptical of 'forever wars' and receptive to intervention when leaders promise decisive, honor‑restoring outcomes. — This idea explains why insurgent or anti‑establishment movements may split over foreign policy and predicts when populists will pivot from restraint to intervention, shaping coalition durability and electoral messaging.