Populist Parties and Democratic Resilience: A Cross-National Analysis of Populist Parties' Impact on Democratic Pluralism in Europe

Populist Parties and Democratic Resilience explores the conditions under which populist parties become anti-democratic and when they remain loyal to the democratic system. It offers in-depth analyses of the trajectory of populist parties in eleven European Union countries and outlines different ways in which European democracies can successfully accommodate populist parties.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Populist Parties and Democratic Resilience delves into the role of populist parties as the primary drivers of populism, exploring the dynamics of their transformation from pro-democratic to anti-democratic and their commitment to the democratic system. In the aftermath of significant events such as the Brexit referendum, the election of Donald Trump, and the proliferation of populist parties across the world, concerns arose about the state of democracy. However, while some democratic systems have faced challenges from populists, most have demonstrated remarkable resilience.

In this comprehensive volume, the authors identify the conditions that can lead populist parties to undermine political and societal pluralism. Through in-depth analyses of the trajectories of populist parties in eleven European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Spain), the book sheds light on the diverse pathways through which populist power can be contained and subjected to democratic checks and balances. It reveals that populist parties can, at times voluntarily and at other times through external pressures, adhere to the democratic rules of the game.

Based on this understanding, the volume proposes various strategies for European democracies to successfully navigate the complexities of accommodating populist parties. It advocates for a nuanced approach that balances the extremes of uncritical acceptance and outright ostracization. By drawing on the literature on democratic theory and comparative politics, this book makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing public debate on the state of democracy in Europe. It appeals to researchers and scholars interested in comparative politics, European politics, party politics, democracy, and populism.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032218908