In fact, populism (really, direct democracy) is worst than oligarchic or monarchic tyranny. One tyrant or a few tyrants can be shot through the brain or have their necks stretched, and they are no more trouble to anybody. But a mob of 300 million people telling the minority that their lives and property are forfeit on the outcome of a vote? That is utterly devilish, and is exactly what our Founders sought to prevent.
Spot on.