Authoritarian Populism in Transitional Countries of Western Balkans

Abstract

Populism today is a topic in Europe in different societies and at
different levels, as in the recent past. Of course, the concept is split again
among various opinions about populism, like those claiming it is a
political tactic, rhetorical instrument, theory, or ideology. Most authors
define populism as a dimension of political action rather than being an
ideology or theory. Given this, different political practices are signified
by this notion in a rather unselective manner; this is explained by the
shallowness of populism and the lack of “theory in it.”2
This has shown
to be a mistake. This is also demonstrated by experience of
contemporary challenges of parliamentary democracies in different parts
of the world, especially in Europe. Populism remains a totalitarian spirit
that stalks democracy and points out the compromise between the
democratic and undemocratic spirit, and between restricting the will of
the people or the people’s sovereignty and liberal principles of
democracy.
New moments, evidence, and elaborations in this discussion
were brought to the foreground by present experience of authoritarian
populism in transition countries; this populism appears to be the greatest
danger for these countries to be ruined on their road to democracy, as
well as the relative successes of the rightwing and leftwing populism in
contemporary European democracies in context of globalization,
democratic deficit, unwanted openness, and immigration.
Such experiences indeed do confirm that thesis’ about populism
being a rhetorical instrument and tactics without theory are hasty and not
well based. It is increasingly clear that it is a question – if not about
theory or discourse – certainly then about a political ideology with its
own concept.