Populism as a Challenge to Democratic Representation? Flashcards
what is populism
not just a set of political beliefs, a style, or a reaction to elites
it’s a way of thinking about politics that divides society into two opposting groups: the pure/true/real people and the corrupt elite
division in society: people and corrupt elites
what do populists leaders claim
populist leaders claim to be the true representatives of “the people” and argue that they alone have the right to govern because they speak for the morally righteous, “real” people.
populists often claim some groups don’t belong to “the people” (e.g., immigrants, elites, minorities) and use this division to consolidate power
when can populism grow?
when people feel that government isn’t listening to their concerns, especially if leaders seem distant or indifferent.
populists use this dissatisfaction to gain support
Why is it important to have a theory of populism?
populism might be misunderstood as just another political style or form of protest rather than a distinct phenomenon.
we risk conflating different political movements, some of which may not share the same anti-pluralist or exclusionary tendencies.
it allows us to see populism’s impact on core democratic principles like representation, opposition, and institutional integrity.
What is the populist theory of political representation?
Populists claim to be the sole legitimate representatives of “the people”:
argue that they uniquely understand and embody the will of the people, rejecting other parties or leaders as illegitimate
theory is moralistic rather than institutional; it does not rely on checks, balances, or democratic procedures to ensure representation but rather on the direct connection between the leader and “the people.”
populists often claim that institutions like courts, media, or even elections are manipulated by corrupt elites and thus cannot truly represent the will of the people
What is the populist theory of democracy?
Populists have a radically majoritarian view of democracy:
believe in the unrestricted rule of the majority, where “the will of the people” is absolute and not constrained by independent institutions, laws, or minority protections
democracy, in their view, is not about pluralism or ongoing debate but about implementing the singular will of the people as defined by the populist leader
populists reject liberal democracy’s checks and balances (like courts or media independence) as obstacles to fulfilling the will of the people
Can populists govern?
populists can govern, but their governance often poses challenges to democratic systems:
populists tend to centralize power, dismantling or weakening institutions like the judiciary, independent media, or electoral commissions that they see as barriers to their rule.
they claim to govern directly for “the people,” often bypassing established procedures or norms of accountability.
challenges to democratic systems
governing and contradictions in populism
governing requires compromise, but populists claim to be the pure representatives of an uncompromising, unified people. This tension can lead to disillusionment among their supporters if compromises are seen as betrayals.
what do they do when they govern?
undermine institutions
restructure the political system
exclude opponents
rhetorical governance
undermine institutions
Populists attack institutions they claim are controlled by corrupt elites, such as courts, parliaments, or media outlets. They may weaken institutional independence to consolidate their own authority.
restructure the political system
they may attempt constitutional reforms, redraw electoral districts, or change election rules to maintain power.
exclude opponents
Populists marginalize opposition groups and portray them as enemies of the people. This exclusion can include minorities, dissenters, or anyone who challenges their authority.
rhetorical governance
Populists often rely on symbolic actions and rhetoric to maintain their image as the voice of the people, even if their policies are inconsistent or fail to deliver substantial change.
populism & people’s will & representation
populism seeks to erase the distinction between the people’s will (sovereignty) and its political representation because populists claim to directly embody and express the will of the people.
by erasing this gap, populists present themselves as indistinguishable from the people they represent, undermining the complexities of democratic processes like deliberation and contestation.
populism in minimalist / maximalist notion of democracy
While populism might work within the framework of minimalist democracy (majority rule via elections), Urbinati critiques its inability to safeguard against the populist rejection of pluralism and minority rights.
Democracy involves more than elections. It requires contestation, deliberation, and the coexistence of diverse viewpoints. Populism undermines these principles by claiming exclusive representation of the people and rejecting institutional safeguards.
Urbinati’s notion of democracy
Urbinati sees democracy as a complex system of representation, contestation, and self-limitation:
representation = democracy mediates between the people’s will and government through elected representatives. This mediation creates a necessary gap that allows for debate, compromise, and reflection.
contestation = democracy thrives on the presence of opposition and the constant questioning of power. Contestation ensures that no single group or individual can monopolize political authority.
self-limitation = democratic systems impose checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power and protect minority rights.
–> so democracy is not simply about majority rule
self-limitation
democracy requires limits on both majority rule and governmental power to prevent tyranny. These limits are institutionalized through mechanisms like independent courts, constitutions, and protections for minority rights.
diarchy
Urbinati describes democracy as a dual system (diarchy) in which the people’s sovereignty coexists with institutional checks.
this duality ensures that the government represents the people while remaining constrained by laws and principles that safeguard democracy.
contestation
Contestation is central to democracy. It ensures that different voices and perspectives can challenge those in power, preventing the monopolization of political authority.
populist notion of democracy
populism reduces democracy to majoritarianism. It sees the will of the majority as absolute and rejects any constraints on this will, including constitutional limits, minority protections, or institutional checks.
demagoguery / role in the rise of populism
demagogues exploit societal grievances and fears, often blaming elites or minority groups for the people’s problems. can manipulate masses
through rhetoric, demagogues construct a vision of the “true people” and position themselves as the sole legitimate representative of their interests.
demagoguery bypasses rational debate and critical reflection, replacing these with emotionally charged appeals and simplistic narratives.
role of social conditions in the rise of populism
economic inequality
social fragmentation
distrust of institutions
crisis of representation
economic inequality - rise of populism
Rising inequality can create disillusionment with traditional political institutions, making populist rhetoric appealing.
social fragmentation - rise of populism
In diverse societies, populists exploit cultural or ethnic divisions to rally support by creating an “us vs. them” narrative.
distrust of institutions - rise of populism
When institutions like courts, media, or parliaments are seen as corrupt or ineffective, populists capitalize on this distrust to position themselves as anti-establishment leaders.
crisis of representation - rise of populism
Populism often emerges when people feel disconnected from their representatives, believing that their voices are not being heard.
Mudde and Kaltwasser define democracy in two distinct ways:
democracy (without adjectives)
liberal democracy
democracy (without adjectives)
At its core, democracy is the combination of popular sovereignty (rule by the people) and majority rule.
it is primarily a system for selecting rulers through competitive elections, where the majority’s will determines leadership.
liberal democracy
This is the dominant form of democracy in modern societies. Liberal democracy includes the principles of popular sovereignty and majority rule but also emphasizes:
Protections for fundamental rights, including minority rights.
Independent institutions, such as courts and the media, to safeguard these rights and maintain checks and balances.
Pluralism, allowing diverse viewpoints to coexist and contest power.
tension between majority rule and minority rights
tension between majority rule and minority rights is a defining characteristic of liberal democracy.
populism challenges this balance by prioritizing majority rule while often dismissing institutional constraints and minority protections.
positive elements of populism for democracy
giving voice to excluded groups
increasing political participation
improving responsiveness
challenging elitism
positive elements of populism for democracy explained
giving voice to excluded groups = populism can highlight the concerns of groups who feel neglected by the political elite, addressing issues that mainstream parties avoid
increasing political participation = by mobilizing disengaged or marginalized sectors of society, populism can energize political participation and foster greater engagement in democratic processes.
improving responsiveness = populist leaders often focus on implementing policies that reflect the immediate concerns of their supporters, potentially increasing the system’s responsiveness to public demands.
challenging elitism = populism critiques perceived detachment and corruption among political elites, which can push for greater transparency and accountability
negative elements of populism for democracy
weakening minority rights
attacking democratic institutions
polarizing politics
moralizing politics
negative elements of populism for democracy explained
weakening minority rights = populists often use majority rule to justify policies that undermine minority rights, eroding the pluralistic foundation of liberal democracy.
attacking democratic institutions = populists frequently criticize and weaken independent institutions, such as courts and media, claiming they obstruct the will of the people.
polarizing politics = populism often frames politics as a moral battle between “the people” and “the elite,” which deepens divisions and makes compromise more difficult.
moralizing politics = populists moralize political decisions, framing opposition as illegitimate or evil, which can undermine democratic dialogue and cooperation.
populisms impact on democracy varies based on
the type of political regime and its stage of development.
authoritarian regimes - positive effect
populism can serve as a democratizing force in authoritarian regimes, challenging elites and demanding popular sovereignty. For example, movements like Poland’s Solidarity helped push for democratization by mobilizing opposition to authoritarian rulers.
authoritarian regime - ambiguous impact
In competitive authoritarian regimes (e.g., regimes with limited elections), populism can push for electoral reforms but may also consolidate power for its own leaders, limiting broader democratization.
electoral democracies - positive effect
Populism can highlight deficiencies in electoral democracies, such as corruption or inequality, leading to reforms that improve democratic quality.
electoral democracies - negative impact
Populists in these systems may erode institutions and further restrict rights, preventing a transition to full liberal democracy.
liberal democracies - negative effect
In liberal democracies, populism often leads to democratic erosion by attacking institutions, weakening minority protections, and undermining pluralism.
for example, populist leaders like Viktor Orbán in Hungary have dismantled institutional safeguards to concentrate power.
liberal democracies - ambiguous effect
Populism can sometimes force liberal democracies to become more responsive by addressing public grievances. However, this often comes at the cost of weakening long-term democratic norms.
De-Democratization (Democratic Erosion and Breakdown) - negative effect
Populism accelerates de-democratization by dismantling independent institutions, concentrating power, and weakening protections for minorities. In extreme cases, populist leaders can preside over democratic breakdown, as seen in Alberto Fujimori’s Peru during the 1990s.
types of political system and populism
Presidential systems may allow populist leaders more direct control, while parliamentary systems often dilute their power through coalitions.
however, populists in government with strong parliamentary majorities (e.g., Orbán in Hungary) can wield significant power.
international context and populism
In regimes integrated into liberal democratic networks (e.g., the EU), populists face external pressure that may limit their ability to erode democracy. In less-integrated regions (e.g., Latin America), populists may find fewer constraints.
