This research systematically reviews the relationship between populism and economic policies, analyzing their impact on state development and growth. It is the first study to comprehensively examine the interaction between these two concepts through a systematic literature review. The review process adhered to the PRISMA protocol, utilizing the Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases, covering the period from 2012 to 2024. The findings reveal a deep interconnection between populism and economic policies, with significant implications for governance and socioeconomic well-being. The review identifies that neoliberal populism combines pro-corporate elements with populist rhetoric, favoring economic elites while presenting itself as beneficial for the “people.” Additionally, it underscores that neoliberal globalization has facilitated market liberalization but also increased inequality and undermined national sovereignty. The review concludes that while populism may offer quick fixes to immediate economic issues, its simplistic and polarizing approaches can be counterproductive in the long term. Thus, there is a critical need to reevaluate and reformulate economic and governance policies to balance global economic integration with the protection of citizens’ rights and well-being.

The article presents an analysis of the main causes and social consequences of the transformation of employment in the conditions of the transition of the world economy to post-Fordism/neoliberalism at the end of the 20th century. The author discusses the main methodological approaches to the study of this problem and also dwells in detail on the analysis of such important consequences of the transformation of the labour sphere as the increase in the vulnerability of workers’ employment, the growth of inequality, the weakening of the strength of trade unions, etc.