100. Anne Applebaum: Corruption, Populism, and Ending the War in Ukraine
The Rest Is Politics: Leading
Beware of 'True' Parties: Autocratic Populism's Mask
Autocratic populism is characterized by movements that, despite winning elections democratically, seek to dismantle democratic systems to maintain perpetual power. These movements, whether from the far-right or far-left, often express that they are the only legitimate representatives of a nation, positioning themselves against 'elites' and 'foreigners.' This exclusion of legitimate competitors indicates their intention to undermine the electoral process. The transition from being part of a democratic system to altering it for sustained dominance reveals the essence of autocratic populism, distinct from mere anti-immigration sentiments or right-wing views. In contrast, outright autocracies like Russia and China lack the facade of illiberal democracy, operating in a fundamentally different political framework.
