Right-wing populists' destructive blueprint for democracy and countermeasures by Democrats to preserve democratic institutions
In an era where democratic norms and institutions are under threat, right-wing populist parties are systematically eroding the foundations of democracy, often retaining its form while hollowing it out from within.
These parties, armed with a potent mix of institutional capture, legal manipulation, media control, and social division framing, are gradually dismantling the checks and balances that safeguard democratic societies. They manipulate election laws, stack judiciaries with loyalists, disqualify opposition, control the media, and weaken checks and balances, all while maintaining the façade of democratic processes such as elections and parliaments.
One of the key ways they undermine democracy is through judicial erosion. In countries like Venezuela, Poland, and Hungary, courts have been packed with government loyalists, undermining judicial independence and separation of powers. Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS), for instance, undertook systematic judicial reforms viewed as anti-democratic, prompting EU sanctions.
Election manipulation is another tactic these parties employ. Altering electoral laws and using state resources to ensure election outcomes favor them, they render elections more symbolic than truly competitive. Examples abound, from Venezuela’s rigged electoral rules under Maduro to Hungary’s rewritten electoral laws under Orban.
Discrediting and controlling media is another strategy they use. Labeling critical press as “fake news” or enemies of the people, as seen under Donald Trump in the US, weakens a vital democratic pillar.
Suppressing opposition is yet another tool in their arsenal. Disqualifying opposition parties or members, purging bureaucrats and judges after political crises, and expelling dissenting MPs are tactics employed to stifle parliamentary scrutiny.
Exploiting social and cultural divides is another tactic these parties use, often targeting immigrant and minority groups as threats to national identity or security. This justifies authoritarian measures and restricts civil liberties such as protests.
Strategic use of historical narratives is another tool in their arsenal. Populists portray their policies as rectifying past injustices, using history to legitimize attacks on present institutions and silence critics.
This strategy enables right-wing populists to erode the “substance” of democracy while retaining its form, gradually dismantling institutional constraints and consolidating personal or party power. Their rise is often fueled by activating nationalist, anti-elitist, and nativist sentiments, which broadens their electoral base and normalizes their presence in mainstream politics, increasingly becoming a dominant pathway to governance.
The AfD, a right-wing populist party in Germany, is a prime example of this phenomenon. The party became increasingly radicalized from 2015 onwards, following the influx of Syrian refugees. The rise of the AfD in the east of Germany can be attributed to a feeling of being left behind and unheard by the establishment.
Established parties often adopt the claims and “solutions” of right-wing extremist parties, reinforcing the image that benefits the right-wing parties. The neoliberal policies of the last 30 years have had consequences that have undermined the acceptance of democracy in various countries.
Journalist Richard C. Schneider and Professor Peter N. Neumann have examined this phenomenon, focusing on how these parties view democracy and its institutions. They warn that democratic parties should not adopt the extreme rhetoric or demands of right-wing populists.
As we move forward, it is crucial to develop positive future narratives that are more attractive than the right-wing populist dystopia of a “return to the future”. Work is needed to counter the propaganda from these parties, which distorts reality, labeling all democratic parties as “old parties” and selling themselves as the only true opposition.
In conclusion, today's fascism is not seizing power with a big bang, but gradually settling in and destroying democratic institutions from within. It is crucial for democratic societies to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their democratic institutions and norms.
- Right-wing populist parties, such as the AfD in Germany, are systematically eroding the substance of democracy while retaining its form, often disguising their efforts as a "return to the future."
- These parties manipulate election laws, control media narrative, suppress opposition, and exploit social and cultural divides, rendering elections symbolic and stifling parliamentary scrutiny.
- Erosion of judicial independence and separation of powers is another tactic used by right-wing populists, as seen in countries like Venezuela, Poland, and Hungary.
- To combat this threat, democratic societies need to develop positive future narratives that counter the propaganda from right-wing populist parties and remain proactive in safeguarding their institutions and norms.
