Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper deals with the resurgence of populism in Latin America, and particularly with the ideological underpinnings of this phenomenon. Quite unexpectedly, populism has reemerged in several countries, such as Argentina and Peru, in the wake of drastic and all-encompassing neoliberal reforms. This novel situation calls for a reinterpretation of the populist phenomenon. The author contends that neoliberalism and neopopulism have established a strong link at the ideological level. In order to provide empirical evidence for this hypothesis, a corpus of Carlos Menem’s presidential discourse has been analyzed. The author concludes by suggesting that neoliberalism itself tends to stir up populist tendencies in society.
Highlights
This paper deals with the current resurgence of populism in Latin America, and with the ideological underpinnings of this phenomenon
This novel situation calls for a reinterpretation of the populist phenomenon: Should we make a distinction between “old” and “new” populism? Which are the economic linkages between neopopulism and neoliberalism? Are they accidental, contingent, or necessary? Is this a Latin American phenomenon, or can we draw parallels with North American and European populisms? Does populism represent a clear and present danger to democracy, or is it rather a “phase” in the process of political institutionalization? We will not, tackle these issues here, we will briefly touch on all of them
The focus of our discussion will be the following question: Is there an ideological nexus between neopopulism and neoliberalism? We will first put this question in context – sociologically and conceptually – in order to justify its relevance when trying to understand certain problematic aspects of the democratic transition in Latin America
Summary
RESUMO: Este artigo trata do ressurgimento do populismo na América Latina e, em particular, dos fundamentos ideológicos desse fenômeno. Inesperadamente, o populismo ressurgiu em vários países, como Argentina e Peru, na sequência de reformas neoliberais drásticas e abrangentes. Essa nova situação exige uma reinterpretação do fenômeno populista. O autor afirma que o neoliberalismo e o neopopulismo estabeleceram um forte elo no nível ideológico. Para fornecer evidências empíricas para essa hipótese, um corpus do discurso presidencial de Carlos Menem foi analisado. O autor conclui sugerindo que o próprio neoliberalismo tende a estimular tendências populistas na sociedade.
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