And at the same time populism worsens inequality and isn't punished for it (it gets away with making the elections just a little bit "unfair", it doesn't need full totalitarian control over them and can keep the opposition alive on not-too-tight a leash). Which is the most terrifying thing: it is a self-renforcing loop.

Seems like its been a "self-reinforcing loop" for decades...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_Uni...