Populism and the political system: A critical systems theory approach to the study of populism

Abstract

This article outlines a critical systems theory approach to the study of populism by arguing that populism is an avenue of contestation which assumes a distinct role and function in the existing constitution of the political system. Most notably, it is characterised by the re-entry of a popular sovereignty dimension within regular political procedures. By taking up a critical systems theory perspective, it becomes possible to more precisely distinguish populism from other forms of politics, such as oppositional politics, social movement politics or procedural constitutional politics. Further, populism’s oscillation between democratic and authoritarian dynamics can be elucidated as an inversion which operates from within its political form. Finally, it is argued that the critical systems theory approach provides a more nuanced understanding of populism’s inherent problems and, consequently, moves beyond a blunt defence or rejection of populism as such.

Moses and Aron: Reconsidering holistic politics

“…Against this backdrop, populism remains a dubious candidate because it relies on a holistic mode of political representation and establishes a shortcut to the seizure of political power. There is no running away from analyzing the obvious pitfalls of populism both on the level of form and the level of its concrete trajectories (see my remarks in Möller 2022). However, it seems that the widespread anti-populist stance requires reconsideration and a flat-out rejection of holistic politics—that is, a politics which claims to represent, embody, and actualize the whole of the social order in the name of the constituent power of the people—may be too hasty.…”

From Jacobin flaws to transformative populism: Left populism and the legacy of European social democracy

“…33See for a functionalist critique: Thornhill (2020); for an historical investigation: Möller (2022); for a discourse‐theoretical approach to evaluate the success and failure of populisms: Venizelos and Stavrakakis (2022). …”

“…2525See recent attempts to conceive of social transformation as learning processes: Jaeggi (2018), Von Redecker (2021), Möller (2022). …”