For a Left Populism

The liberal democratic politics that once commanded global adherence is now in crisis, with populism rising in its wake. Populism is neither an ideology nor a political system; rather, it is one of many ways of “doing politics.” In recent years, it has broken through traditional frameworks, establishing a new collective political subject—the people.

Populism is not the antithesis of democratic politics. It can serve as a potent tool, creating new political forces, redefining political boundaries, restoring democracy, and rebuilding politics. Many assume that populism is merely the work of emotionally charged, easily manipulated masses, as often portrayed in the media. However, Chantal Mouffe, a leading political theorist, takes a different view, identifying populism as a tangible and effective force of political action.

In this new work, Mouffe redefines “left populism,” asserting that politics is fundamentally about establishing political boundaries, dividing society into opposing camps, and mobilising the “underdogs” to challenge the “powerful.” This is a struggle for survival—a critical battle in which populism will rise triumphant amidst the conflicts posed by contemporary anti-politics and post-democracy, shaping the future. The contest between right-wing and left-wing populism is imminent, with the outcome determining which will dominate the future consensus. The question is whether left-wing populism can successfully unite the people and pave the way for the restoration of democracy.

For a Left Populism is also written for you—those who recognise the power of populism but refuse to let it devolve into exclusivity and domination of others.

Praises and Reviews

Mouffe’s focus is, first and foremost, on political practice. She is not attempting to explain phenomena or justify a particular political ethic, but rather to guide towards a practical and achievable direction for political movements. The first point is to establish the goal of political movements: “radical democracy,” a political and economic system where the people govern freely and equally, embodying true popular sovereignty.

In For a Left Populism, she writes that one lesson to be learned from Thatcherism is how to break away from the traditional centre-left or centre-right approaches, dominated by party interests and characterised by ambiguous compromises. Instead, she advocates reconnecting into a broad left-wing coalition, united by the principles of equality and freedom, to collectively strive for a leftist political future that surpasses the old welfare state.

Mouffe’s argument diverges from traditional perspectives; she contends that “populism” is not an ideology but a neutral strategy for political mobilisation. Much like the hegemonic strategies mentioned earlier, if populism is merely a method of mobilisation, its character will depend entirely on the ideology of those who wield it.