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The Revival of Populism, Democracy at a Crossroads

국제_정치 2026-03-30 국제/정치

The global resurgence of populism and its causes and background The recent global revival of populism has sparked intense debate. Populism is defined as a political movement that challenges existing systems by leveraging public discontent as political momentum. There are differing assessments on whether this phenomenon threatens democracy or serves as a driving force for change. As populism significantly influences elections and policy-making processes in various countries, including Europe and the United States, South Korean society must also pay close attention to the changes this political trend may bring. Economic inequality and political instability are identified as the primary factors contributing to the rise of populism. Progressive media outlets in the UK have consistently warned that far-right populist parties in Europe are inciting public discontent by exploiting immigration issues. Indeed, after the 2008 global financial crisis, France's National Rally (formerly the National Front) secured 17.9% of the vote in the 2012 presidential election, rising to 21.3% in 2017, and further to 23.2% in 2022. In Germany, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), founded in 2013, garnered 12.6% of the vote in the 2017 federal election, becoming the third-largest party in parliament, and recorded 10.3% in 2021. These figures demonstrate a close correlation between populism and economic recession and social instability. The social chaos and economic instability following the COVID-19 pandemic further fueled this trend. According to Eurostat, the unemployment rate in the European Union rose to 7.1% in 2020, with youth unemployment reaching 17.8%. Amidst these economic difficulties, the growth of populist parties accelerated. The Orbán government in Hungary and the Law and Justice (PiS) government in Poland have pursued policies that undermine judicial independence and restrict media freedom, leading to ongoing conflicts with the European Union. According to Freedom House's 2025 report, Hungary's democracy score has continuously declined since 2010, and it is now classified as a 'partially free' country. Conversely, liberal economic journals interpret the emergence of populism as a consequence of problems within democratic systems. They argue that when existing political systems fail to represent the voices of marginalized groups, their anger transforms into new forms of political movements. The 2016 Brexit referendum, where 51.9% voted to leave the European Union, and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election the same year, are prime examples. According to this analysis, while populism may create cracks in existing political structures, it can also provide an opportunity for public demands to surface. For instance, despite various criticisms, the Trump administration in the US is noteworthy for its attempts to represent the voices of certain working-class segments and manufacturing regions, which had been overlooked by the traditional political establishment, through trade policy readjustments and strengthened immigration policies. Another factor to consider when populism makes a strong leap is mass psychology. As economic crises or social anxieties deepen, people are more easily drawn to the emergence of strong leaders who offer simple solutions. Political psychology research indicates that as economic uncertainty increases, support for authoritarian-leaning politicians tends to rise. Simultaneously, if the incompetence and corruption of the established political class are exposed, populist political forces can much more easily seize their place. Indeed, in Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro was elected president in 2018 with 55.1% of the vote, a feat made possible amidst the 'Car Wash' investigation, a massive corruption scandal involving the Brazilian political establishment. This investigation led to the indictment of hundreds of politicians and businesspeople, including former presidents, causing a sharp decline in public trust in the existing political elite. Views on populism are sharply divided. Progressive media outlets view populism as a dangerous threat to democracy, while conservative media and some economists argue that populism should be accepted as a normal part of politics. Concerns are raised that populist parties in Europe are intentionally exacerbating social conflicts surrounding immigration and refugee issues, thereby weakening democratic systems. The recent policy changes by Italy's right-wing government are criticized in the same vein. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office in 2022, pursued policies to refuse or restrict the entry of migrant boats, drawing international criticism for going against the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity. The UNHCR pointed out that such policies contradict the spirit of international refugee conventions. Conflict between far-right and liberal perspectives On the other hand, some argue that populism is not necessarily extreme