In the Introduction of this book Norman Pollack offers this historical definition of Midwestern Populism- "While primarily an agrarian movement, it also contained significant support from industrial labor, social reformers, and intellectuals."
"In a word, Populism regarded itself as a class movement, reasoning that farmers and workers were assuming the same material position in society. Thus it accepted industrialism but opposed the capitalistic form, seeking instead a more equitable distribution of wealth."
From an editorial in the "Farmer's Alliance" was a quote that sounds relevant for today. "The theory of our government has been and is that the individual should possess the very greatest degree of liberty consistent not with the greatest good of the greatest number, but with the very least legal restraint compatible with law and order."
The author explained the lack of cohesion between farmers and laborers.
Populism should not be mistaken for a branch of Socialism. Socialism was partly responsible for the passing of the Populist movement.
It's interesting that Populists generally held a dim view of both "free trade" and protectionism.
The fusion of Populists with the Democrat party was detailed. It was the last gasp effort at survival of the movement.
Davis Waite held that Populism alone " was based upon the principles of true democracy."
"The Populist Response to Industrial America" is a brief, educational history of the Midwestern Populist movement and it's idealogy.
There may be more detailed accounts in other books, but this book has more information than I expected from a small book.
