Abstract
This paper aims to bring some order to the rich theoretical and empirical discussion on the phenomenon of populism through a critical discussion of the concept. Although a negative interpretation of populism is widespread, especially in public and journalistic discourse, academic effort has produced remarkable results in identifying and circumscribing this important and current phenomenon. These pages will attempt to highlight (1) the theoretical contribution by scholars from various disciplines, (2) the multiple forms of populism as a social and political phenomenon, and finally (3) the relationship between populism and power. These are the three lines of analysis on which this paper is organized. It will also conclude with some considerations on the so-called "populist moment" and the convergence between technocracy and populism in the contemporary political and institutional landscape.