Populism : The Erosion of Democracy

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Here are some other articles of mine that are also related to the theme of Populism:

• Fake News – a Worldwide Challenge
• Can art be used as a political tool?

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Introduction

In the 21st century, populism has become one of the most powerful and controversial forces shaping global politics. From the United States and Europe to Latin America and parts of Asia, populist movements have gained influence by presenting themselves as the voice of “ordinary people” fighting against corrupt elites. While populism can sometimes highlight genuine social frustrations, many political analysts warn that it is increasingly contributing to democratic erosion, weakening institutions, polarising societies, and encouraging authoritarian tendencies.

What is populism?

Political scientists often define populism as an ideology that divides society into two groups: “the pure people” and “the corrupt elite.”

Moreover, a study published by PsyPost.org in August 2025 described populism as a movement that claims politics should reflect “the will of the people” while rejecting democratic institutions and compromise. As a result, this rhetoric can be highly emotional and persuasive, especially for citizens who feel ignored by mainstream parties, economic inequality, or rapid cultural change.

Anti-Establishment rhetoric

The rise of populism has accelerated dramatically since the early 2000s.

Events such as:

• the global financial crisis of 2008,
• Brexit in the United Kingdom,
• the elections of Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024,
• and growing anti-establishment movements across Europe, have reshaped political debate.

According to recent academic research (Taylor and Francis Online), populism has emerged partly because of long-term social and economic changes. These have been linked to globalisation, immigration, and distrust of traditional political systems.

Impact on democratic institutions

One of the greatest concerns surrounding modern populism is its impact on democratic institutions. Democracies rely on checks and balances, independent courts, free media, and respect for political opposition. However, populist leaders frequently attack these institutions by claiming they obstruct “the people’s will.” In Society ( 2025), Archie Brown warned that growing public disillusionment with democracy has “opened space for the rise of populist leaders who have a propensity… to be authoritarian.” Another study by Maximilian Schiffers ( Springer Nature Link) on democratic backsliding argued that populist governments often advance “illiberal agendas”. They do this by weakening public institutions and concentrating power.

Erosion of democracy

Examples of democratic erosion can now be seen in several countries. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was criticised by the European Union for restricting judicial independence and media freedom. The recent success of Péter Magyar in the Hungarian elections (April 2026, LSE Blogs) is yet to be proven as a victory for liberal democracy over populism. However, he is building strong links with the European Community and inviting Hungarians to “step through the gate of regime change”.

In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has faced accusations of suppressing political opposition and limiting civil liberties. In the United States, political commentators increasingly debate whether intense polarisation and attacks on electoral legitimacy are weakening democratic norms. A recent Le Monde article (May 2026) argued that political developments in America reveal a troubling “erosion” of constitutional checks and balances.

Simplified political messaging

Populism also spreads through emotional and simplified political messaging. Populist movements often use fear, nationalism, and anger to influence public opinion. Social media has amplified this process, allowing political messages, conspiracy theories, and misinformation to spread rapidly. Francis Fukuyama, an American political scientist, recently argued that the internet has played a major role in the rise of global populism because it accelerates outrage, distrust, and cultural conflict.

Rejection of expertise

Another important feature of populism is the rejection of expertise. Scientists, journalists, academics, and judges are frequently portrayed as members of a detached elite working against ordinary citizens. This undermines trust in factual information and encourages conspiracy thinking. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, populist rhetoric in several countries contributed to distrust in scientific advice and public institutions.

Connections with fascism

The rise of populism in the 21st century has drawn frequent comparisons with the growth of fascism in the 20th century. While modern populism and historical fascism are not identical, they share several important characteristics. Fascist movements in the 1920s and 1930s also exploited economic anxiety, national humiliation, and public frustration with political elites. Leaders such as Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany presented themselves as defenders of the “real people” against corrupt establishments and outside enemies.

Like today’s populists, fascist leaders relied heavily on emotional propaganda, nationalism, and attacks on democratic institutions. They used mass communication to simplify complex problems and blame minorities, foreigners, or political opponents for national decline. Over time, democratic systems were gradually dismantled from within. Historians often note that fascism did not immediately destroy democracy through violent revolution; instead, democratic institutions were slowly weakened until authoritarian rule became normal.

Attack on democratic institutions

Modern democratic erosion follows a similar pattern in some countries today.

Rather than overthrowing democracy overnight, populist governments may:

• weaken courts,
• attack journalists,
• question election results,
• or reduce the independence of civil servants.

One analysis in Science News (October 2024) warned that democratic decline often occurs gradually, as elected leaders “attack institutions iteratively” while maintaining the appearance of democratic legitimacy.

Populism grows because of fear of change

However, experts also stress that populism grows partly because many citizens feel excluded by existing political systems. Economic inequality, declining trust in institutions, and fears about identity and cultural change have all fuelled support for populist movements. Some commentators argue that mainstream political parties failed to address these concerns, creating opportunities for more extreme voices to emerge.

The challenge for modern democracies

The challenge for modern democracies is therefore twofold:

• protecting democratic institutions while also
• responding to legitimate public frustrations.

Strong democracies depend not only on elections, but also on truth, accountability, independent institutions, and informed citizens.

As populism continues to expand globally, the future of democracy may depend on whether societies can rebuild trust, reduce polarisation, and defend democratic values before democratic erosion becomes irreversible.