What were the political goals of the Populist Party? Why were these goals considered radical in the 19th century? Which goals might still be viewed as radical today? Explain why.

The main political goals of the populist party included social organization, education, respect for the dignity of labor, and the businesslike promotion of the public good. According to Foner, populists wanted “the direct elections of senators, government control of the currency, a graduated income tax, and low-cost public financing.” Additionally, the populist party’s goals included recognition of the workers’ right to form labor unions, the public ownership of the railroads, the unity of black and white small farmers, and women’s rights.

In the nineteenth century, some targets of the populist party were considered radical. For example, the attempt to unite black and white small farmers in the South. At that time some white populists were landowning farmers, and most blacks were tenants and agricultural laborers. Some of their ideas are still regarded as radical, including the operation of the public good that is presently supported by such politicians as Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. The reason is that such an approach contradicts the capitalistic realities of the present time.

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