Populism and the Rule of Law

Abstract

In recent years, attacks and threats to the principles and practices of the 'rule of law' have occurred in several advanced democracies, in EU Member States and in EU-level political arenas. These attacks have often been waged by different kinds of populist actors, including some governments where populist parties are in power. Threats to the rule of law have severe consequences for the quality of democracy, for the working of civil and political society and specifically for vulnerable social groups targeted by populist parties, such as racialised groups, migrants, and sexual minorities. This panel aims to investigate the impact of these threats on political debates and the implications for the uses and violations of state power. Contributions aim to examine how different actors have conceptualised the rule of law, the consequences of its violations, and the strategies devised to oppose populist views. The panel also considers the strategies of anti-populist actors in opposing violations of the rule of law.

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