Populism is best studied as a historical term that carries its own biography

Evidence

Instead of treating “populism” as an entity outside of history, a properly historical approach would allow us to investigate exactly how “populism” entered our dictionary and found its way into our brains, books, essays, newspapers, and onto our television screens. This would force questions on nihilists and addicts alike: Why do we so desperately need the word today? And if we do decide to retain it, as the clunky yet indispensable gadget it has become, can it be salvaged? — Arthur Borriello and Anton Jäger, The Populist Moment, 44

Categorization

• QUESTION: The book itself is presumably answering these questions over later chapters — worth holding.