ABSTRACT
Populism is an intriguing phenomenon because it is, or at least resembles, a form of democratic politics. This chapter explains about religion and the rise of populism and provides a corrective to the general neglect of religion in academic work on populism. It suggests useful ways of approaching the intersections of religion and populism. The sociologist Roger Brubaker has more recently entered the fray on populism and religion, with an essay that provides a conceptual exploration of populism and another that centrally concerns Christianity as a key factor in the civilisational politics of populism. The chapter presents case studies that point to the varied and intimate links between the populist and religious sentiments and performances. The archetypical populist leader seeks the legitimacy granted by the people through rallies with large crowds, the mandate of election victories and the mechanisms of democratic campaigning and consciousness raising.
