They differ in three respects. The neoliberal approach, accepts the status quo. A populist approach puts the struggle for change at the top of its agenda. A populist approach relies on mobilizing an alliance with the working class at the grass roots. Thirdly, the neoliberal experts believe it wise to target the poor as a separate population.
Progressive populists believe in securing anti-poverty strategies in a broad, solidaristic agenda.
Danger of Targeting and Isolating the Poor A key issue that divides a neoliberal from a populist approach is whether low-income housing programs should be targeted for the poor. Targeting appears to be a compelling idea. In today s political climate, universal housing programs are too expensive and have little chance of being enacted. Therefore, every available dollar must go to the most needy. Moreover, an alliance with the middle class may result in siphoning off the few available dollars to pay for some kind of middle-class homeownership program.