Abstract This article assesses the influence of populist parties on two central aspects democracy – participation and representation. In line with traditional theories populism democracy, we argue that have a positive effect electoral turnout equality participation. effect, however, is moderated by party's role in government or opposition as well their host‐ideology, i.e. left, centre right. We also substantive representation, but this strongly dependent host‐ideology. test these arguments...

Populism is both prolific and resilient. By now, populist forces around the globe have managed to enter highest echelons of power (Rovira Kaltwasser Taggart 2016). It no wonder that contemporary academic debate has shifted its focus exploring consequences populism in power, particularly impact on democracy. Although democracy are not synonymous, representation “the people” a central claim both. Most scholars agree “all forms without exception involve some kind exaltation appeal ‘the people’”...

This article explores which factors enable or hinder populist presidents in Latin America to pursue a radical strategy of institutional change and induce the erosion horizontal checks balances. Applying an actor-centred approach, focuses on specific constellations political arena that shape presidents’ incentives their ability engage change. Three conditions are considered be most decisive: absence unified government between executive legislature, existence ‘power vacuum’ distribution public...

Abstract The phenomenon of populism and its relationship with modern democracy has gained considerable attention in recent years. This article aims at advancing our understanding how affects different models tests the proposed arguments empirically. Building on a large scholarly literature democracy, we take stock existing theorize which democratic may be affected by positive or negative way. Moreover, move beyond normative debate analyse effect power We do so merging data populist...

This article conceptualizes party institutionalization and theorizes the conditions under which elites invest in institutionalized parties new democracies. We specify routinization value infusion as two central dimensions of theorize relevant for across three spheres: system, state, society. Constructing measures based on expert survey data, we test our framework through multivariate regression models 18 Latin American As theoretically expected, some (access to executive office, a party's...

Abstract Populists emerge when distrust of state institutions or dissatisfaction with democracy convince voters that claims about conspiring elites blocking the general will are valid. We propose these dynamics change populists incumbents; once they command institutions, their sustained support becomes contingent upon trust in new institutional order, and held accountable for making people think is working well. Newly collected data on party populism survey from Latin America show populist...

The phenomenon of populism and its relationship with modern democracy has gained considerable attention in recent years. This paper aims at advancing our understanding how affects different models tests the proposed arguments empirically. Building on large scholarly literature democracy, we take stock existing theorize which democratic may be affected by a positive or negative way. Moreover, move beyond normative debate analyse effect power We do so merging data populist governments Europe...

Abstract This article analyzes the relationship between clientelism and citizens' political orientation in Latin America. Consistent perceptions citizenry are central traditional theories of competition. argues that hinders development consistent by reducing utility information cues, such as left-right labels. More specifically, clientelistic parties generate indifference among their supporters toward divide offering them an alternative voting rationale, increase uncertainty realm making...

Populism is commonly understood as a response to frustrations with the functioning of modern democracy, while use direct democratic mechanisms has been hailed remedy for ailing representative democracies. Indeed, populism’s emphasis on citizen participation in decision-making tightly linked its distrust institutions and political elite cornerstone mediated representation. Trust, however, matters any institutional arrangement, we contend that role warrants more attention when considering...

Measures of democracy are in high demand. Scientific and public audiences use them to describe political realities substantiate causal claims about those realities. This introduction the thematic issue reviews history measurement since 1950s. It identifies four development phases field, which characterized by three recurrent topics debate: (1) what is democracy, (2) a good measure (3) do our measurements register real-world developments? As answers questions have been changing over time,...

Abstract Do populist ideas travel across borders? Anecdotal evidence suggests as much, yet so far we lack a systematic assessment of whether diffusion takes place, and if under which conditions. We argue that context similarity enables the populism among parties it eases adaption framing perceived grievances into local context. Using dyadic approach, analyze effects 923 in 67 countries from 1970 to 2018. find similar levels political economic exclusion foster learning emulating other abroad....

How can we make sense of the imperfections democratic government in contexts social inequality? To answer this question Foweraker develops an insightful analytical framework, drawing from pas...

This article investigates the relationship between populism in power and expansion of mechanisms direct democracy (MDDs) Latin America. We hypothesise that introduction new or additional MDDs is more likely under populist than non-populist presidents due to core ideas. then add a conditional explanation this ideational argument grounded strategic calculus even if political context which are embedded provides incentives promote MDDs. test these hypotheses by means logistic Poisson regression...