Populism & Pluralism

Populism and pluralism are two central but often opposing concepts in contemporary political analysis. Populism is commonly defined as a thin-centred ideology that considers society to be divided between a corrupt elite and a pure people. This definition, rooted in the ideational approach, contrasts with discursive and performative perspectives such as those advanced by Ernesto Laclau, who argues that populism is a political logic that constructs ‘the people’ as an antagonistic force against the ‘establishment’. Pluralism, by contrast, is a fundamental principle in liberal democratic theory, emphasizing the coexistence of multiple interests, values, and groups within a political system. As articulated by Robert Dahl (Dilemmas of Pluralist Democracy, 1982), pluralism upholds the legitimacy of diverse perspectives in democratic decision-making, countering tendencies toward political homogenization. These concepts are invaluable resources for examining how digital platforms shape political discourse, amplify exclusionary or inclusive narratives, and reconfigure the boundaries of public debate.