The Decline of Populism? Crisis of Trust and Political Alternative Parties in Modern Italy

Although many scientific works are devoted to the phenomenon of populism, the problem of studying sociopolitical processes and practices that develop against the background of the rise of populist parties to government is still relevant. Of particular interest is the way in which “populism in power” affects the transformation of populist parties from within, as well as the state of society, dissatisfied with the unwillingness of populist parties to immediately fulfill all the promises made by leaders on the way to power. Analyzing the 30-year experience of populism in Italy and the stay of populists in power over the past five years (2018–2024), the author of this article concludes that: (1) parties that positioned themselves as political alternative parties and criticized representative democracy, traditional parties, and the political class have not actualized the promised innovations—new forms of democracy and participation; greater involvement of citizens in politics; and new practices, including intraparty ones; (2) the disappointment of society with the ideological transformism of populist parties, unfulfilled promises, and “conciliatory” policies towards mainstream parties may contribute to a further increase in distrust of political parties as an institution and to a rejection of political action in favor of a different repertoire—direct social action, which ensures a horizontal type of trust and the solution of socioeconomic problems in the short term through grassroots social interaction. Direct social action becomes an alternative to the manifestation of political protest and other types of political action. Society is depoliticized, while horizontal integration is strengthened, implying direct social action, which has a latent protest character and can be politicized in the future. This article contributes to the discussion on the evolution of the phenomenon of populism and its sociopolitical consequences.