Stopping Authoritarian Populist Projects: Why Constitutionalism is Not the Sole Answer

Abstract

Legal scholars have been attempting to discern methods to safeguard democracy in the face of authoritarian populist projects. Much of the relevant discourse has centered on constitutionalism-based mechanisms like unconstitutional constitutional amendments, revision clauses, defensive/militant democracy, and institutions of accountability such as constitutional courts and fourth-branch institutions. Nonetheless, these tools have largely been ineffective in stopping or halting authoritarian populist projects. This chapter argues that superior options to confronting these authoritarian populist projects must be found in the political arena.

Keywords: Liberal Democracy, Authoritarianism, Populism, Courts, Constitutional Law, Democracy, Political Parties, Militant Democracy