Syndrome of populism and the evolution of post-Soviet regimes
The juxtaposition of “us” the people vs. “them” the elites and the demonization of outsiders have been the recurring themes across the post-Soviet space, from opposition party programs to the political rhetoric of chief executives. Is populism, often defined as a manifestation of nativism, anti-elit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Political Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1605136/full |
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| Summary: | The juxtaposition of “us” the people vs. “them” the elites and the demonization of outsiders have been the recurring themes across the post-Soviet space, from opposition party programs to the political rhetoric of chief executives. Is populism, often defined as a manifestation of nativism, anti-elitism, and xenophobia in party politics, social movements, policy, and leadership styles, a useful concept for the study of post-Soviet politics? To answer this question, I trace a range political manifestations of populism starting with the early years of transition, during the regime breakdowns, in participatory autocracies, and under the consolidating repressive dictatorships. A populist syndrome appears to be most pronounced in the context of democratic backsliding, contentious politics, and unconsolidated autocracies. As the post-Soviet autocratic regimes consolidate restrictive and non-participatory mechanisms of societal control (dominant parties, centralized propaganda machines, and repressive apparatus), populist tactics become less prevalent and populism as a concept describing elements of political life becomes more problematic. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-3145 |