Anti-populism in times of recurring crises An analysis of ‘New Democracy’s political discourse

Abstract

This study examines the use of the signifier "populism" in the political discourse of New Democracy, Greece's ruling party, and attempts to connect it to broader political and ideological antagonisms and goals. Specifically, the study focuses on a 42-month period during which three significant consecutive crises occurred and attempts to identify the specific meanings and functions that "populism" acquired as a signifier within their respective contexts. By using certain analytical and theoretical tools developed by Laclau and Mouffe's Discourse Theory, the analysis examines the correlation of the signifier "populism" to notions such as "extremism," "responsibility," "science," and "democracy" and argues that it emerged as an empty signifier capable of accommodating a variety of different or even contradictory meanings while also equivalentially linking various political forces with each other. Finally, the study discusses certain political and analytical problematic aspects of this discursive practice and examines potential implications deriving from this anti-populist repertoire towards Greek democratic politics.