Final answer:
Populism has had a lasting effect on the style of politics in the United States, having reshaped the platforms of major political parties and the nature of political discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Populism has a lasting effect on the style of politics in the United States. Originating with farmers' alliances and the formation of the Populist Party, populism aimed to represent the interests of common people against the elites and had a transformative impact on American political culture. While the Populist Party itself dissolved, many of its ideas were integrated into the platforms of established political parties during the Progressive Era, reshaping policies and political strategies that continue to influence American politics.
Populists challenged existing power dynamics by seeking to unite farmers and urban workers, although the movements often had diverse and sometimes contradictory goals. Considering the changes in industrialization, labor organization, and social reforms, populism fundamentally altered the nature of political discourse by promoting a politics of the people, often in opposition to the perceived interests of corporate and financial elites. The Democratic Party's response to the Populist challenge also influenced the political landscape, particularly in the South.