Is Populism Inherently Illiberal? Insights from Kirchnerism and SYRIZA in Power

Abstract

This article delves into the academic discussion on the relationship between populism and liberal democracy, criticizing the idea that all populist movements, parties, and leaders are inherently illiberal or authoritarian. Drawing from a Laclauian perspective, it argues that populism constitutes an integral component of democratic politics, giving voice to marginalized people and possessing the potential to adhere to the principles of liberal democracy. Through the examination of left-wing populist cases in Argentina [Kirchnerism (2003-2015)] and Greece [SYRIZA (2015-2019)], we aim to demonstrate the inadequacy of the illiberal approaches, that appear indifferent to their pluralistic and inclusive elements, in explaining the phenomenon. Thus, we provide a response to this query: Is every populist case necessarily illiberal?