Five views: Is populism really a threat to democracy?

Summary

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US presidential election, the UK’s decision to leave the EU, and the rise of anti-establishment parties across Europe have prompted discussions over the role of ‘populism’ in modern politics. But is populism really a threat to democracy or is the term simply used by mainstream politicians to dismiss the legitimate concerns of citizens? LSE's EUROPP Blog asked five academics for their views.

• Zsolt Enyedi | Populism is indeed a threat to democracy – and the positive case for it is rather feeble
• Chantal Mouffe | The only way to save democracy is to promote a ‘progressive populism’
• Yannis Stavrakakis | Anti-populism may be the real threat to democracy
• Ruth Wodak | Right-wing populist parties pose clear short and long-term dangers
• John Fitzgibbon | Populists are not anti-democratic, they are anti-liberal democracy