Popular politicians have little need for populism

There is a strong identification with, and sense of ownership of, the electoral system in Ireland across all socio-economic groups

The gilets jaunes protests that led to the collapse of French president Emmanuel Macron’s environmental tax on fuel were not just an expression of frustration at the imposition of new taxes, but also a rejection of the system of elite-dominated politics in France.

For keen observers of politics across Europe, the rising tide of populism, fuelled by globalisation, has been a cause of concern for some time. Yet if we look at Ireland, ...