Populism and the American Party System: Opportunities and Constraints1

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In dialogue with the comparative literature on populism, this chapter considers the opportunity structure available to populist parties and candidates in the American political system. I argue that compared to most other democracies, the U.S. system offers much less opportunity for organized populist parties but more opportunity for populist candidacies. Today’s major parties may also be more vulnerable to populist insurgency than at other points in U.S. history, due to (1) changes in communications technology, (2) the unpopularity of mainstream parties and party leaders, and (3) representation gaps created by an increasingly racialized party system. Although no democratic system is immune to deterioration, the U.S. constitutional system impedes authoritarian populism, just as it obstructs party power generally. But the vulnerability of the major parties to populist insurgency poses a threat to liberal democratic norms in the United States, just as it does elsewhere.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationStill the Age of Populism?
Subtitle of host publicationRe-Examining Theories and Concepts
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages223-245
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9781040047156
ISBN (Print)9781032591391
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Social Sciences
  • General Arts and Humanities

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