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Editorial to the Issue on Populism and the Remaking of (Il)Liberal Democracy in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Lars Rensmann

    (Centre for International Relations and Department of European Languages and Cultures, University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Sarah L. de Lange

    (Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Stefan Couperus

    (Centre for International Relations and Department of European Languages and Cultures, University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Populism has become the issue of comparative political science today. The rise and continuing success of populist parties is by now evident across Europe, despite persistent cross-national variations. Populist parties’ electoral success and their participation in government have raised questions about their impact: not just on established party systems, but also on the systemic core of European democracies. In theory, this impact can be both beneficial for, as well as a challenge to democracy in general, and the tenets of liberal constitutional democracy in particular. The presence of populist parties has, in several cases, increased electoral turnout and public participation, which is generally seen as a positive effect when measuring the quality of democracy. However, populist parties’ rise also points to negative effects. In addition to profoundly reshaping European party systems, they advocate what the populist Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán calls “illiberal democracy”. Both as an ideal and as an institutional practice when in government, the illiberal remaking of democracy implies eroding the separation of powers and subordinating constitutionally guaranteed individual civil and human rights to an alleged “general will” and a particular conception of “the people”. The thematic issue explores the ideological supply, favorable conditions, political contexts and dynamics, as well as the impact of the populist surge in Europe in relation to the systemic consolidation of (il)liberal democracy on a theoretical and comparative empirical level.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Rensmann & Sarah L. de Lange & Stefan Couperus, 2017. "Editorial to the Issue on Populism and the Remaking of (Il)Liberal Democracy in Europe," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 106-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v5:y:2017:i:4:p:106-111
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v5i4.1328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthijs Rooduijn & Wouter van der Brug & Sarah L. de Lange & Jante Parlevliet, 2017. "Persuasive Populism? Estimating the Effect of Populist Messages on Political Cynicism," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 136-145.
    2. Benjamin Moffitt, 2017. "Liberal Illiberalism? The Reshaping of the Contemporary Populist Radical Right in Northern Europe," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 112-122.
    3. Benjamin Moffitt & Simon Tormey, 2014. "Rethinking Populism: Politics, Mediatisation and Political Style," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 62(2), pages 381-397, June.
    4. Robert A. Huber & Christian H. Schimpf, 2017. "On the Distinct Effects of Left-Wing and Right-Wing Populism on Democratic Quality," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 146-165.
    5. Robert A. Huber & Christian H. Schimpf, 2017. "On the Distinct Effects of Left-Wing and Right-Wing Populism on Democratic Quality," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 146-165.
    6. John Abromeit, 2017. "A Critical Review of Recent Literature on Populism," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 177-186.
    7. Lenka Bustikova & Petra Guasti, 2017. "The Illiberal Turn or Swerve in Central Europe?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 166-176.
    8. John Abromeit, 2017. "A Critical Review of Recent Literature on Populism," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 177-186.
    9. Lenka Bustikova & Petra Guasti, 2017. "The Illiberal Turn or Swerve in Central Europe?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 166-176.
    10. Benjamin Moffitt, 2017. "Liberal Illiberalism? The Reshaping of the Contemporary Populist Radical Right in Northern Europe," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 112-122.
    11. Matthijs Rooduijn & Wouter van der Brug & Sarah L. de Lange & Jante Parlevliet, 2017. "Persuasive Populism? Estimating the Effect of Populist Messages on Political Cynicism," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 136-145.
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