The Rise of "People-First Economies"

A new form of populism is beginning

Sep 10, 2025

∙ Paid

$88 billion. 100,000 people. Austerity.

These numbers and themes have a lot in common. They reflect the “input” and “output” of a rising wave of populist anger directed at deteriorating economic conditions. Across nations, from the developed world to the Global South, people are reaching a breaking point.

Except that what is forming is only the opening act—early signals of what I call “People-First Economies,” which could spread far wider, far faster, disrupting governments and businesses.