Populism and Foreign Policy: The Case of Pakistan (2018-2022)

Abstract

Populism has become a global phenomenon that influences both the domestic and
foreign policies of nations. In their foreign policies, populist governments around the
world tend to pursue radical departures from their predecessors, challenge
intermediary institutions, and adopt a personalized or centralized approach. They
prioritize bilateral engagements over multilateral cooperation, engage transnational
audiences actively, capitalize on cultural ties, and employ media-centric diplomacy,
especially through social media. Religion and culture also play a significant role in
shaping the foreign policies of populist-led nations. Certain national, historical, and
geopolitical factors may lead to deviations and distinctive characteristics in the foreign
policies of populist governments, despite the fact that these characteristics are
commonly observed to varying degrees. The purpose of this study is to examine the
case study of foreign policy under the populist government of PTI Pakistan and its
conformity to these hypothesized common characteristics. In the context of Pakistan's
national, historical, and geopolitical elements, it examines any deviations or distinctive
characteristics Pakistan's populist government exhibits in comparison to populist
governments around the world.