Right-Wing Populism

Right-wing populism combines populism, which portrays politics as a struggle between a virtuous people and a corrupt elite, with right-wing ideas about nation, identity and authority. It claims that government should express the will of a culturally unified majority, often treating plural interests and institutional restraints with suspicion.

The populist core

Its central feature is a moral, rather than merely economic, division of society.

• It presents the people as a homogeneous and morally legitimate community opposed to a self-serving elite.
• It invokes popular sovereignty and claims that public policy should directly reflect the majority's supposed common will.
• It is often anti-pluralist because opponents, minorities or intermediary institutions may be portrayed as obstructing the authentic people.

The right-wing content

The right-wing element identifies the people principally through national, cultural or civilizational belonging.

• Nativism gives priority to the established national community and depicts some external influences or immigrant groups as threats to its identity or security.
• It commonly stresses national sovereignty, border control, social order and cultural continuity.
• Its economic programme can vary between market-oriented and protectionist positions; therefore, no single economic doctrine defines it.

Operation within representative democracy

Right-wing populists usually seek power through elections, but interpret democracy primarily as majority rule rather than as a balance between majority choice, pluralism and constitutional restraint.

• Leadership is often personalized, with direct appeals presented as bypassing parties, legislatures and other intermediary bodies.
• Courts, independent media, civil services and other checking institutions may be criticized when they constrain the claimed popular mandate.
• Thus, right-wing populism is not necessarily opposed to elections, but its majoritarianism can conflict with minority rights, institutional checks and liberal constitutionalism.