Populism and democratic erosion: The role of the judiciary evidence from Mexico, 2018-2021

Abstract

The inherent tension between populism and constitutionalism tends to crystal-lize in the judicial power, which populist leaders in power need to coopt or at least neutralize in order to implement their agenda free of obstacles. The judiciary can contribute to limit the authoritarian impulses of populism and instead take its just demands and revitalize democracy. The likelihood that the judiciary plays this role depends on its legitimacy amongst the citizens and the partisan composition of the executive and legislative powers. These arguments are illustrated in the case of Mexico, specifically during the first three years of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (1918-2021) and his Movement of National Regeneration (MORENA).