Discourse Theory in debate: democracy and populism

Abstract

This dossier focuses on the relationship between populism and democracy through the lens of Discourse Theory (DT) as developed by Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe. Considering the analytical potential of DT and the current context of democratic tension amid populist (re)emergences, the articles gathered in this collection articulate theoretical reflections and empirical investigations that contribute to a deeper understanding of DT, explore democratic processes, and analyze the populist phenomenon in its multiple expressions. The contributions presented here revolve around the dossier’s central aim: to deepen the understanding of the challenges faced by contemporary democracies, the construction of political identities, and the tensions inherent in the populist logic and its possible implications for democracy. The relevance of this proposal lies in the need to comprehend how political discourses compete over meaning and shape the current democratic field, amid polarization, a crisis of representation, and the emergence of new hegemonic articulations. Overall, this dossier seeks to contribute to the advancement of studies in social theory and, more specifically, in political theory, through the conceptual tools of DT. In doing so, it offers not only interpretative frameworks for populist phenomena but also a critical debate on the limits, scope, and controversies surrounding the application of DT and the very notion of populism in light of contemporary experiences and challenges.