The thing is, leaders elected by populists, when you look at who they are, are among the least likely to lead an effective popular revolt. Mr. Trump and Mr. O'Leary, for example, are the top 1% of the top 1% in the top 1%. They would wash their hand immediately after touching mine.

Right now people are afraid because they cannot remember not being afraid, so populism gets us leaders who will cater to our fears, delivering promises to make our fears go away. But that's not how fear works. So, populism now is a ticket to power for people who want power for power's sake, that's all.

I know I have fears, which I hope I have learned to recognize and keep in their place. I want leaders who reach for my hunger for a vision.  More than anything else, this is why I did not like Prime Minister Harper, who seemed interested in keeping me afraid, and it is why I like Prime Minister Trudeau so much, who seems to know I want images of a future with a compassionate, astute Canada at work in it.