I don't really agree that populism pushes collective interests forwards. Generally, it allows for collective expressions of fear. And I guess you can call popular galvanizing after things like Pearl, or 911, or massive natural disasters "populist", but it's not from govt doing anything in particular.

I don't agree that some great expression of collective interest allowed us to ward off this great Japanese threat. I think Japan was mostly false boogeyman to begin with, used by fear-mongers. Ironically, Japan's own supposed collectivism helped cause its problems (although a lot of that was sheer demographics. Which interestingly, people seem not to see about to crash into China, but it is).

The perceived threat from Japan took care of itself, by and large, and the growth and productivity explosion in this country were the result of individuals trying to make a buck. The emergence of a new super-wealthy class that make the robber barons of the last century look like paupers. It was all about self interest, not collective interest.