Popularisoi

Popularisoi is a neologism used primarily in speculative political theory and some fictional works to describe a class of movements or parties that claim to represent the people against elites. The word combines an English root popular with a plural-sounding suffix to suggest multiple groups sharing a common populist aim. It is not a widely used or officially recognized term in real-world political science, and there is no single canonical doctrine associated with it.

In such contexts, popularisoi movements typically emphasize direct appeal to broad citizenry, opposition to perceived technocratic governance, and a commitment to policies claimed to benefit the ordinary person. Messaging often centers on sovereignty, national or community identity, economic protectionism, or welfare-oriented promises, delivered through simplified slogans and mass mobilization tactics. Depending on the context, movements labeled popularisoi may appear on the left, right, or center of the political spectrum, united mainly by rhetoric about power being returned to the people.

Critics argue that the label can obscure important differences between movements, oversimplify policy debates, and enable majoritarianism at the expense of minority rights or institutional checks. Proponents, by contrast, see it as a useful analytical lens to study populist rhetoric without tying it to a particular ideology.

In fiction and academic exercises, popularisoi serves as a conceptual tool to explore how anti-elite appeals mobilize support under varying circumstances.