Example of popular position (8)
I believe the answer is:
instance
'example' is the definition.
('instance' can be a synonym of 'example')
'popular position' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'position' becomes 'stance' (stance is a kind of position**).
'in'+'stance'='INSTANCE'
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for instance that I've seen before include "Cite as an example" , "Particular case; cite" , "'Example, illustration (8)'" , "A case or example of something" , "Case or example from ancients" .)