Populist Leadership

The chapter examines populist leadership and its intersection with broader trends of personalisation and disintermediation in contemporary democracies. The inherent contradictions within populist leadership are analysed, particularly its reliance on charismatic authority and its challenge to traditional democratic institutions. The chapter discusses how populist leaders utilise personal appeal and direct communication with the masses to bypass traditional political structures, thereby redefining the relationship between leaders and followers. The role of populism in the personalisation of leadership is also explored, along with the potential dangers this poses for democratic stability. By providing a detailed analysis of populist leadership, the chapter offers a critical perspective on the rise of populism and its implications for democratic governance.