Populism in the Civil Sphere

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As populism increasingly influences contemporary societies, scholars struggle to define it, with a consensus emerging that it represents a deviation from democracy, contributing to the precarious state of many societies today. This volume seeks to unravel the complexities of populism by applying a new social theory, prompting a reevaluation of normative judgments surrounding this often-misunderstood phenomenon. Rather than viewing populism as a mere democratic deviation, it is framed as a natural aspect of civil sphere dynamics, which can threaten democracy only at its extremes. The polarizing nature of populism breeds anxiety about the erosion of civil solidarity. Left populists perceive civil solidarity as an illusion, arguing that democratic discourse masks private interests and that social and cultural distinctions merely reflect the dominance of a ruling class. Conversely, right populists express distrust toward the civil sphere, labeling initiatives like affirmative action as particularistic and disparaging revered civil symbols. This raises critical questions about the survival of a vital civil center amid such populist critiques from both sides. The insights provided in this volume offer sophisticated theoretical perspectives and well-researched empirical studies, appealing to those invested in understanding significant political developments today.