A lot depends on what we perceive as a threat and who decides what is a threat. For some people, losing their job to globalization or automation is a major threat, for others it may be not being able to afford a home. When political decisions are made continuously, that mainly benefit the standing of those in positions of wealth and power and only react to threats that challenge their rule, then populism (left or right) becomes a threat mainly because it threatens their well-being.