The Supreme Court recently overturned a decision from 1984 known as Chevron deference, which granted executive-department agencies broad discretionary authority to make rules that affected commercial and civil life. This decision allowed agencies to bypass Congressional and judicial oversight, leading to an increase in agency interventions over the years.
The new rule established by the Supreme Court in Loper Bright v. Secretary of Commerce states that agencies cannot interpret laws as they wish but are restrained by the words of legislation enacted by the people’s representatives. This transfer of responsibility back to the people and their representatives marks a shift towards populism in response to past calamities.
During the peak of agency deference, Americans found themselves subject to laws and mandates issued by agencies rather than Congress. This system of government, fueled by Chevron deference, allowed agencies to exert significant power over national life without proper legislative backing.
The Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Chevron deference offers a sense of relief to those who suffered through the arbitrary rule of powerful agencies in recent years. This decision aligns with a global movement towards democratic accountability and a skepticism towards entrenched elites in various sectors.
The new populism emerging today draws on themes from both the left and the right, emphasizing the importance of individual decision-making, free speech, fundamental rights, and a distrust of corporate and government power. This paradigm shift reflects a growing wave of skepticism towards authority and a desire for more transparent and democratic governance.
The coercive pandemic response, characterized by lockdowns, business closures, mask mandates, and forced vaccinations, further fueled this wave of incredulity towards government overreach and elite control. The failure of these measures to effectively end the pandemic highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in decision-making processes.
Blaming all experts for the failures of the pandemic response overlooks the complexities and uncertainties surrounding public health crises. The shift away from agency deference towards more democratic accountability reflects a broader movement towards empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions in the face of crisis. Many individuals with impressive credentials raised concerns about this approach from the start. However, their voices were silenced and suppressed. Additionally, many others knew that this approach was flawed but were unable to speak out due to fears about their careers.
This is why the new wave of populism strongly advocates for freedom of speech. Without the ability to openly discuss and assess evidence, we risk missing vital truths and blindly following the opinions of the powerful.
While the term “populism” has a negative connotation due to historical events in the 20th century, today’s populism is different. It focuses on allowing experts to guide economic and cultural decisions rather than centralized planning.
For instance, FDR’s populist rhetoric in his inaugural address criticized those who controlled the economy but ultimately relied on expert advice to reshape the economy. The response to the Great Depression was heavily influenced by John Maynard Keynes’ economic theories, which emphasized government intervention to manage supply and demand.
The New Deal and subsequent policies empowered a select group of social and economic elites, rather than truly representing the people. This trend continued over the years, culminating in decisions like the Chevron case in 1984.
The pushback against the reliance on scientific expertise came to a head during the pandemic lockdowns and subsequent attempts to control climate change through government intervention. This marked a shift towards a new populism that prioritizes the will of the people over elite decision-makers.
This new populism harkens back to earlier movements, such as President Andrew Jackson’s stance against the National Bank and support for states’ rights. By embracing the principles of democracy and prioritizing the voices of the people, this new populism offers a fresh perspective on societal governance.
In light of American history, the movement led by President Jackson in the 1830s serves as a relevant example of the current shift towards populism. It underscores the importance of empowering the people and challenging traditional elite structures in governance.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times. Please rephrase this sentence.
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