The frenemy within: populism’s dual role in democratization

Different approaches to democracy and populism lead to varied conclusions about their relationship. Some see populism as a threat to democracy, while others argue that it can contribute to democratization by giving a voice to excluded groups. This article provides a multifaceted view and regards populism as a “frenemy” of democracy based on theoretical discussions and historical evidence from around the world. As a friend, populist parties and leaders help integrate underprivileged classes into the political system in authoritarian settings and revitalize politics in liberal democracies that have become unresponsive to ordinary citizens. However, as an enemy, populist actors in power undermine liberal institutions in already unstable contexts, especially when they remain in government for extended periods. We argue that the importance of competitive elections for populism underscores democracy’s normative resilience over the past 50 years. Given the evidence of global populist governance so far, the danger of populism is potentially exaggerated compared to totalitarian ideologies in the First Reverse Wave. Perceiving populism only as an enemy stems partly from its conflation with far-right ideology, which obscures another danger: the erosion of political freedoms by non-populist incumbents through illiberal means in the name of protecting democracy itself.