From Militant Democracy to Normal Politics? How European Democracies Respond to Populist Parties

Abstract

Problems with militant democracy and democratic defence approaches - a new typology of initiatives opposing populist parties: democratic defence as 'normal politics' - populist opponents: public authorities, parties and civil society - tolerant and intolerant modes of engagement with populists - intolerant initiatives opposing populist parties - rights restrictions by public authorities - ostracism by political parties - coercive confrontation by civil society actors - tolerant initiatives opposing populist parties - 'ordinary' legal controls and pedagogy by public authorities - forbearance by political parties - adversarialism by civil society actors