Populism in Power

Abstract

Giorgos Venizelos examines the populist parable once it comes to power, focusing on the affective relationships between leader and masses, addressing several issues such as emotions and styles, as well as the links between populism and democracy. Drawing on examples from left-wing and right-wing populism in Europe, Latin America and the United States, in this interview Venizelos observes that while populism may be normatively at odds with liberalism, it does not mean that it is not democratic. Crucially, he argues, populism is flexible and performative, and it adapts to the institutional settings and cultural particularities to construct collective identities. Finally, Venizelos points out that politics is not just about the best argument, data or facts and that emotions must not be neglected from any attempt to understand populism.