What happens when politics becomes less about solving problems and more about picking sides? In an age where the rhetoric of “Us vs. Them” is being used frequently by politicians to gain supporters, it often leads to division in society. This tendency exists on both sides of the political spectrum, the left and right. Both claiming they are the true voice of the people, this is where populist figures rise and present themselves as the people’s saviour. If we look into history, this is actually a repeating cycle, with controversial figures like Adolf Hitler who rose to power by leveraging the anger and humiliation of the German people after World War I (1914-1918). His populist rhetoric — blaming the elites, scapegoating minorities like the Jews, and promising national rebirth of the German’s glory in the past— resonated deeply with the wounded German society which faced the failure of the Weimar Republic and devastating economic catastrophe. However, it is also important to note that not all populist movements are bad, populism is an important force when it truly serves the people. In many cases it arises from legitimate causes such as the fights against corruption, inefficient governments that no longer serve the people’s interest and widening inequality whether it be economic or social inequality.
Populism is often associated as a political ideology like conservatism, liberalism and socialism – but in reality, it is actually more of a style as a way of speaking and framing issues that pits “the people against the elites”. This can be empowering when it gives voices to marginalised or exposes corruption scandals, yet it can also be dangerous when it relies on fear, scapegoating and divisions. When populist leaders criticised their opponents as the enemies of the people, encouraging hatred and undermining institutions in the name of loyalty or patriotism, democracy begins to erode. Populism, therefore, is not inherently good or bad – it depends entirely on how it is being used and what values guide it.
In a time facing the rise of divisive populism both globally and at home, we need a moral guide that reminds us to stay just. In Islam, this compass can be found in the concept of wasatiyyah, or moderation. This is a concept derived from the Quranic verses in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 143 that describes Muslims as “ummatan wasatan” – moderate people, this concept promotes balance, moderation, justice and excellence in all actions – including governance. It rejects both passivity and extremism, offering a third way in the middle. This teaches us to engage critically without being hateful and to fight injustices without being unjust. Though rooted in Islamic teachings, it is applicable to all human beings which encourages us to be ethical and a just society in facing today’s deeply polarized world caused by divisions and hatred. It also encourages us not to silence our frustrations, but to channel them constructively rather than spitting hatred seditions and false accusations just to win over support for the cause we fight for.
The concept of wasatiyyah should not only be admired but also lived. In today’s political climate, where populist voices often push society towards extremism, practising moderation requires courage. For political leaders, it means refusing to exploit racial or religious issues and fears on a particular group. For citizens – especially young people – it means to think critically before acting – it started by how we perceived information via social media or news networks, especially on highly sensitive issues such as Islamophobia, anti-Semitism etc. We need to clarify the information first as it might be a propaganda that benefits one side rather than actual things that truly happen. Other than that, we should also encourage ourselves to be as open as we can – this can be done by trying to get both sides’ perspectives before making any judgement. In debates, wasatiyyah encourages us to listen as much as we speak, and to choose reason over rage. It reminds us that politics is about serving the people, and not defeating enemies by demonising them blatantly.
If we fail to be just as a society, unbalanced populism will rise and take over the society – politicians and leaders will only make populist policies even if they are not the right solutions to our problems. In such an environment, leadership becomes about popularity, not principle. A good leader, however, will always make the right decisions even when it is unpopular. In a worst-case scenario, dangerous populism that relies on fear, hate and identity politics can grow – turning people against each other and weakening the institutions that are meant to protect us as a nation such as the constitution. History has shown what has happened when nations choose emotions over ethics and justice. This is why building a just, moral guided and balanced society – the one that upholds the concept of moderation – is not only ideal, but a safeguard against radicalisation and extremism dressed as the “people’s voice”.
The future of our democracy and the integrity of the society – depends on our ability to choose balance over bias and principle over popularity. Populism, like fire, can be warm or burn ; it must be guided by values. As young Malaysians, we hold the responsibility to stay informed on unbiased news, think critically before making any judgement and uphold justice even when we face injustices – not only on the leader or representative that we choose, but on how we engage among ourselves. The Islamic principle of wasatiyyah, with messages of moderation, compassion and wisdom in all our acts, offers a moral guidance not only for Muslims, but for everyone that believes in a fairer and united society to build a better world for all.
