Introduction

The mainstream scholarly discussion of populism tends to neglect Asian experiences, and the limited studies of Asian populism simply replicate the existing conceptual frameworks primarily stemming from European and American experiences. This chapter begins by critiquing contested conceptualizations of populism and examines how Asian populism aligns with the existing theoretical frameworks. This chapter also examines distinct Asian contexts that have shaped the nature of populist practices in this region. Traditional cultural conditions have long been ingrained in Asian politics. Nationalism and identity politics that emerged during the decolonization period remain deeply entrenched in Asian political culture and governance. The substantial presence of authoritarian and hybrid regimes in Asia constitutes a unique non-democratic context for populist practices.

The chapter proposes a theoretical framework to capture not only the ideational and mobilizational dimensions of populist practices, but also the cultural dimension of such practices in Asian societies. Finally, this chapter introduces the structure of the book.