Since 2017, it has been observed that people in Latin America and Europe have voted for extremist left-wing and right-wing ideologies. Political parties of both branches focus on populist discourse. To know what populist discourse is, it is necessary to define what populism is. Populism is an ideology that lacks a doctrinal body because it establishes the people as the primary source of inspiration. However, Müller (2017) has distinguished three main characteristics: criticism of the elite, anyone who criticizes the status quo, and who is anti-pluralistic. However, political speeches produce feelings of solidarity, emblems of party identity, and a sense of belonging to the leader.

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Populism

Within populism, there are three major waves: classical populism, neo-populism, and radical populism. To begin with, classical populism is based on the crisis of the agro-exploitation model and import substitution industrialization. In the mid-twentieth century, classical populism was associated with the idea of social change, both political and economic in Latin American countries; atypical processes or alternatives to "normal" Western political and social development; mass mobilizations composed of multiple social strata or classes (especially the rural and urban working class), and interventionist and distributive economic policies.

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There are several differences between neo-populism and classical populism. One of the main differences is the distancing of sectors that initially formed the mobilizing bases of classical populism (trade unions, public employees, and peasants), the dissociation between populism and a specific type of economic policy and ideology. Another difference is the radicalization of a discourse that denounces the elites and political parties, less emphasis on popular cultures than classic populism, and diversification of mobilization and propaganda strategies.

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Neo-populism results from the failure of neoliberal economic policies. In the Latin American region, it has a common enemy: the United States. However, it also questions the functions of democratic institutions (Cisneros, 2012).​ The main characteristics of neo-populism are charismatic leaders, a direct leader-electoral relationship, and an ambiguous relationship with democracy: it appeals to the vote and rejects the intermediation of representative institutions (Barteles, 2024).

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Radical populism, on the other hand, emerges from an authoritarian current where questioning authority is punished. The main discourse within main discourse is that the nation has been threatened and must regain its greatness. An example is the party of Donald Trump that mentions “Make America Great Again,” which refers to the time when the United States was a world power. This slogan refers to the fact that the United States is no longer in control of the international system as it once was (Barquero & Ramos-González, 2021).

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Populist Discourse in Latin America

Populist discourse is focused on a differentiation between two groups in society. Another characteristic is that populist leaders are constantly seeking to make the point to society that they are the embodiment of the needs of the people and the antagonistic group is seen as the enemy (Cruz, 2023). Populist discourses in Latin America have been an example of polarization: the phenomenon where public opinion is divided into two opposing extremes. An example of a populist discourse in Latin America is the Argentine Peronism (1946-1955).​​

The basis of argentine peronism was interventionism, industrialization, and domestic consumption. It defended national sovereignty and sought harmony between social classes through redistribution policies, and its discourse was directed towards workers and trade unions (Gómez, 2025). Peronism presented itself as a protest movement against modernization, and Perón established an authoritarian and illiberal regime. The first thing Perón did was make workers dependent on him, and then on the State for the improvement of their social and economic condition. One of the key factors explaining the persistence of populism in Latin America is the region’s structural inequality. The lack of opportunities and the weakness of traditional political parties have facilitated the rise of leaders who present themselves as saviors of the people, creating cycles of crisis and populist renewal.

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Populism in Europe: Migration Crisis and Social Discontent

Unlike in Latin America, where populism has historically been associated with the left, in Europe it has been driven primarily by right-wing and far-right movements in response to the 2008 economic crisis, globalization, and immigration. Examples of populism in Europe include the rise of Marine Le Pen in France with the far-right National Rally party, Brexit led by figures such as Nigel Farage in the United Kingdom, and the growth of parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD). These movements have capitalized on fears of national identity loss, unemployment, and insecurity, proposing solutions such as border closures, exiting the European Union, and economic protectionism. However, left-wing populism has also emerged in Europe, as seen with Greece’s Syriza party and Spain’s Podemos, which have criticized EU-imposed austerity policies and advocated for greater state intervention in the economy.

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Differences and Similarities Between Latin American and European Populism

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Although populism in Latin America and Europe has different origins and characteristics, there are similarities in how it operates: both rely on polarizing rhetoric that divides society  between "the people" and "the elite", present simplified solutions to structural problems and seek to mobilize discontented sectors of the population. However, the differences lie in their ideological foundations and historical contexts. While Latin American populism has been more associated with wealth redistribution and charismatic leadership, European populism has focused on national identity and opposition to globalization.

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Conclusion

Far from being a temporary phenomenon, populism continues to shape politics in Latin America and Europe. In both regions, it emerges as a response to public frustration with political and economic elites, but its effects range from expanding social rights to weakening democratic institutions. To counter its negative consequences, it is crucial to strengthen democracies, improve political representation, and reduce the inequalities that fuel public discontent.

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References

Barquero, P., & Ramos-González, J. (2021, 2 de marzo). Derecha radical y populismo: ¿Consustanciales o contingentes? Precisiones en torno al caso de VOX. Universidad de Salamanca, España.

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Bartels, L. M. (2024, noviembre-diciembre). The populist phantom. Foreign Affairs Magazine. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/populist-phantom-threat-democracy-bartels

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Biblioteca Jurídica Virtual del Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas de la UNAM. (s. f.). Populismos clásicos de América Latina. https://archivos.juridicas.unam.mx/www/bjv/libros/13/6425/5.pdf

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Cisneros, A. (2012). ¿Qué es el neopopulismo? Replanteamiento conceptual para una investigación empírica. Instituto de Iberoamérica, Universidad de Salamanca. https://iberoame.usal.es/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/abad_neopopulismo_seminarioinvestigacion_0.pdf

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Cruz Loyola, J. M. (2023). Populismos latinoamericanos en el siglo XXI. El Colegio de San Luis A.C. https://biblio.colsan.edu.mx/tesis/LRI_MariaJoseLoyola.pdf

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Gómez, D. (2023, 20 de octubre). ¿Qué es el Peronismo? EOM. https://elordenmundial.com/que-es-peronismo/

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Müller, J.-W. (2017). What is populism? University of Pennsylvania Press.

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