Commentary Before the puzzling early federal election call in Canada, people paid to ask “What is this election about?” asked “What is this election about?” And the answer is: “Justin Trudeau.” Some of Trudeau’s less than admirable traits have contributed, including preferring making promises to keeping them. But they are neither unique to him nor sufficient to create the situation. Rather, it shows our constitutional deterioration from limited self-government to plebiscitary populism that elects a “man on horseback.” Thus newspapers profile “The Men Who Would Be PM” not “The Issues That Matter” and skip anyone who, like Maxime Bernier, is not a populist. Populists have a reputation as big-bellied pseudo-conservatives who substitute vulgar anger for principle. But populism was, and is, primarily the home of left-wing demagogues who want the popular will to prevail on all questions including, crucially, handing out free money in ways no genuinely conservative party desires …
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