Description
Self-described populist leaders around the world are dismantling their nation's constitutions. This has led to a widespread view that populism as such is inconsistent with constitutionalism. This book proposes that some forms of populism are inconsistent with constitutionalism, while others aren't. Context and detail matter.Power to the People offers a thin definition of constitutionalism that people from the progressive left to the conservative right should be able to agree on even if they would supplement the thin definition withn other more partisan ideas. This is followed by a similarly basic definition of populism. Comparing the two, this book argues that one facet of populism -its suspicion of institutions that are strongly entrenched against change by political majorities-is sometimes inconsistent with constitutionalism'sbthinly understood definition.The book provides a series of case studies, some organized by nation, others by topic, to identify, more precisely, when and how populist programs are inconsistent with constitutionalism-and, importantly, when and how they are not. Concluding with a discussion of the possibilities for a deeper, populist democracy, the book examines recent challenges to the idea that democracy is a good form of government by exploring possibilities for new, albeit revisable, institutions that can determine and implement a majority's views without always threatening constitutionalism.
Table of Contents
Note on SourcesIntroductionPart One: The FrameworkChapter 1. What Is Constitutionalism?Chapter 2. What Is Populism?Chapter 3. Populism and ConstitutionalismPart Two: Populism in PracticeChapter 4. Populist Authoritarianism: Hungary and PolandChapter 5. The Problem of the FrankenstateChapter 6. Populism in Western EuropeChapter 7. Southern Europe: Greece and SpainChapter 8. Court- Packing or Court Reform?: Challenging Judicial Independence by Enhancing AccountabilityChapter 9. Populism and Executive Power: Term Limits and Rule by DecreeChapter 10. Guardrails and InstitutionsPart Three: Constitutionalism After PopulismChapter 11. Rejecting DemocracyChapter 12. Power to the People: Empowered DemocracyEpilogue
