DefinePK

Abstract

Populism has become a global phenomenon that influences both the domestic andforeign policies of nations. In their foreign policies, populist governments around theworld tend to pursue radical departures from their predecessors, challengeintermediary institutions, and adopt a personalized or centralized approach. Theyprioritize bilateral engagements over multilateral cooperation, engage transnationalaudiences actively, capitalize on cultural ties, and employ media-centric diplomacy,especially through social media. Religion and culture also play a significant role inshaping the foreign policies of populist-led nations. Certain national, historical, andgeopolitical factors may lead to deviations and distinctive characteristics in the foreignpolicies of populist governments, despite the fact that these characteristics arecommonly observed to varying degrees. The purpose of this study is to examine thecase study of foreign policy under the populist government of PTI Pakistan and itsconformity to these hypothesized common characteristics. In the context of Pakistan'snational, historical, and geopolitical elements, it examines any deviations or distinctivecharacteristics Pakistan's populist government exhibits in comparison to populistgovernments around the world.