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populism

August 21, 2026

How political science learned to stop worrying and love liberal democracy

Hugo Bonin Drawing on a systematic review of 2,401 scientific articles, Hugo Bonin shows how 'liberal democracy' has shifted from a contested analytical concept to a defensive catchphrase. The more the term circulates, the less scholars are examining it. But examining the term is crucial for how we think about democracy's future Read more
June 2, 2026

🎈 How three transformations blocked democratic responsiveness

Lorenzo De Sio Western democracies' responsiveness machinery has been quietly dismantled. To repair the representative disconnect, says Lorenzo De Sio, we must first understand precisely what is broken Read more
May 14, 2026

🌊 From broken windows to cultural disorder

David Pimenta David Pimenta argues that the logic behind the 'broken windows' theory – that visible disorder encourages crime – is still with us. Today, however, it has been transformed and absorbed into contemporary illiberal populism, where cultural breakdown plays a central role in mobilising support and reshaping debates about authority and liberal democracy Read more
May 14, 2026

Libertarian-conservative displacement of liberal democracy 

Regina Queiroz The collapse of liberal democracy is often misunderstood. Regina Queiroz argues that a libertarian-conservative model has displaced liberal democracy's endorsement of popular sovereignty. Driven by re-regulation, liberalisation, and privatisation, this model prioritises market logic over social cohesion. From Portugal’s housing crisis to national populism, the author explores this ideological shift Read more
March 30, 2026

🔮 Italy’s Five-Star Movement: a cautionary tale for valence populists in power

Matthew E Bergman Matthew E Bergman reveals how so-called valence populism (populism focused on competence and good governance rather than ideology) has a potential electoral disadvantage. While non-ideological messages that focus on good governance may broaden electoral appeal, lacking an ideological core can also cost votes. The fortunes of Italy’s Five-Star Movement offer a cautionary tale Read more
February 23, 2026

Centrism as a structure for political action

Karl Pike A distinct centrism which goes ‘beyond’ left and right remains elusive, argues Karl Pike. Centrists act as a managers of an ideological context shaped by existing ideologies of left and right, moderate and extreme Read more
December 29, 2025

What Türkiye reveals about post-liberal governance

Gülşen Doğan Gülşen Doğan argues that Türkiye’s long crisis reveals a new way of governing that stretches liberal rules without fully abandoning them. Cities like Istanbul can keep democratic options alive even as national politics turns in a more authoritarian direction Read more
November 20, 2025

🌊 The nature of fascism and why it differs from populism

Paul D. Kenny People are talking more and more about fascism, and often confusing it with populism. Paul D. Kenny argues that we need to understand how fascism stands out. It has never been just a matter of words or beliefs. It is a leader-centred cult that uses violence to eliminate opposition Read more

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THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH
Advancing Political Science
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