Populism Is a Shadow Cast by Democracy Itself. Discuss with Reference to Readings for Weeks 3&4

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In Nadia Urbinati’s, ‘Democracy and Populism’, she says how ‘populism claims an unbounded supremacy of the “will of the people” over institutions. It is through a concept like this as to why a referendum is so liked by populist followers. It gives them a greater voice and power through a vote which cannot changed by politicians. Rather than letting the elitists have sole power and centrally key issues to a nation, a referendum gives back the power to the people. This has been seen recently in the UK with a vote on Scottish Independence and is currently being seen again with a vote to leave or stay in the European Union. Through a democratic vote, we will decide our future in the European Union, something which again can be seen by a populist as taking power and legislative rights away from a centralised European government and bringing it back closer to the people of the United Kingdom. This is an example of how populism is anti-establishment and anti-elitist, whilst still relying on the concept and core values of a democratic system.

In this essay, having given definitions and clarity to the terms democracy, elitism, and populism, I feel that I have given a sound basis to begin arguing that, populism is ‘a shadow cast by democracy itself.’ Although difficult to fully explore this topic due to the word limits, I have presented my belief, in support of Margaret Canovan, that populism is indeed a ‘shadow cast by democracy itself’ as the basic concept of populism relies on the democratic ability for the people to have power, through being able to elect officials who they feel will represent their values and beliefs to the best of their ability. When this is not done properly, which is often the case, there is a resulting rise in populism and a movement to make sure normal people are represented and protected fairly.

Bibliography

Urbinati, Nadia. 1998 ‘Democracy and Populism’. Oxford. Blackwell Publishers.

Canovan, Margaret. 1999 ‘Trust the People! Populism and the two faces of Democracy’. Oxford. Blackwell Publishers.

Held, David. 2006 ‘Competitive Elitism and the Technocratic Vision.’ Cambridge. Polity Press.

Schumpeter, Joseph. 1976 ‘Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy.’ London. George Allen and Unwin Ltd.

Bryder, Tom. 2009 ‘Populism – a threat or a challenge for the democratic system?’ Copenhagen. University of Copenhagen.

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