with M. Morelli (Bocconi) and A. Nicolò (U. Padova)

abstract 

We propose a theory of populism as simplistic or unconditional commitment. Economic insecurity and social and cultural threats created more and more demand for simple responses and low trust in the ability and reliability of representative politicians without policy commitments.

We show under what conditions politicians choose to supply simplistic commitments in equilibrium and how this choice interacts with competence, honesty and complementary fake news strategies.