The democratic political landscape has undergone a dramatic modulation during the past two decades, the rise of independent actors in the political contestation has questioned the capabilities of traditional and established political parties and has often deployed more populist strategies in return to rake up the political capital. This shift has taken a toll on democratic legitimacy, fueled political polarization and has led to the dominance of authoritarianism and majoritarianism. The rise of populism has also gone against the pluralistic character of society and has challenged multilateralism and the global order. Despite all the regressive tendencies of populism, it’s still gaining a global traction. The chapter will delve deeper into the rise of independent actors amidst the wave of re-globalization, strategies deployed by them for their sustenance in political game and the impact of those strategies on the landscape of democracy, democratic stability, and the emerging global issues.