To Govern or to Contest? The Populist Trilemma in South Asia

Populism has been the edifice on which South Asian democracies have largely based their existence. Populist narrative, populist mandate, populist perception, and feedback mechanisms are not an exclusive category in South Asia. Accommodating a high-density population, elections have been an indispensable tool for populists in Asia. In 2022–2024, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka experienced a change of governments, with or without elections. The recent wave of populism has shown unique characteristics that not only set South Asian populism distinct from its European counterpart but also hint at a new democratic future for the region.