Overview
we studied the evolution of populism in the European context, examined both populist radical left parties and populist radical right parties, and
concluded with a discussion of the effects of populism on democracy. For your final examination,
you will examine the extent to populism is “good” or “bad” for democracy, drawing on the
European context for your case material.
Prompt: Over the course of the last several years, there has been a lot of debate as to whether
populism is “good” or “bad” for democracy, with some scholars, such as Benjamin Moffitt
contending that whether populism is “good” or “bad” depends on how populism is performed and
on its political context. Using course materials relating to the European experience with
populism, is populism “good” for democracy in the European context? Why? Why not?
1. Briefly define the three components of the “populist political style.”
2. Detail how/whether each of the three components of the “populist political style” could be
performed in ways which are “good” for democracy.
3. Describe how/whether each of the three components of the “populist political style” could
be performed in ways which are “bad” for democracy.
4. Apply the above to the European context to build your argument as to whether populism is
“good” for democracy in the European context.