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Populism: The Limits of Democracy (Dr Joseph Yu)

  • josephgregoryyu
  • Apr 14
  • 10 min read

Democracy is about guiding policies with the opinion of the majority of the population. It can be concluded as methods that let the people themselves decide issues through election of individuals who are capable to carry out the will of the people (Schumpeter 1943: 250). However, there can be instances where the power of the majority leads to negative outcomes, thus consituting what can be termed as 'too much', or excessive democracy. The discussion is particularly relevcant in today's political climate, where populist movements and leaders gain traction in various parts of the world, promising to deliver the unfiltered will of the people. This raises critical questions about the balance between majority rule and the protection of minority rights, the health of democratic institutions, and the safeguards necessary to prevent the descent into authoritarianism. This essay argues that excessive democracy can lead to problems such as the tyranny of the majority, populism’s illusionary democracy, totalitarianism, and adverse impacts on decision making process. Through these issues, I will highlight the negative impacts and unintended or unpredictable consequences of excessive democracy.



Populism 

Populism is a form of politics that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often against an elite establishment. In democratic systems. populism appears to follow democratic principles but can deviate from the origin intent of democracy. Populism often denies pluralism and minority protections, seeking instead to enforce the will of the majority (Mudde and Rovira, 2017: 81). Moreover, populist leaders use people's emotions and passion on certain issues to achieve their own goals, such as by gaining power and influence. In other words, it is an illusionary democratic process that is ultimately not aimed at benefitting the people but rather the leader. When populist leaders claimed that they are democratic and truly express peoples’ voices, often aimed at gaining support from the people, populist leaders often give extremist opinions and policies that are mainly for attracting maximum attention instead of truly benefit everyone. For example, Javier Milei, the current president of Argentina, used populist rhetoric to gain power. He labelled that the former government as a "thief government" and posted short videos to show how he will cut different ministries with full passion. (Debre, 2024:1) With the assistance of demagoguery and populism ideas, he became the President of Argentina in December 2023. While he seems to use his passion to meet people's expectations, his policy is actually not beneficial to most of people. Milei's extremist policy of dollarization, which he used to show his understanding of the peoples’ pain under inflation and garner public support, posed significant risks to Argentina's eceonomy due to the lack of credible institutions and other social issues. Indeed, the choice of bi-monetarism is incredibly dangerous (Cachanosky, 2024:1). As an economist, it is impossible for Milei to miss the problem in the first place if he was not going through election. This shows that Milei is using the democratic system and processes for personal gain, undermining the true purpose of democracy. 


Populism, despite its criticisms, can be seen as a necessary corrective to a democracy that has become unresponsive to the needs of ordinary citizens. In many cases, populist movements arise because traditional political elites have failed to address the concerns of the general populace. Populist leaders often succeed in highlighting and addressing issues that mainstream politicians ignore, thereby reinvigorating the democratic process and ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups are heard. For example, consider the case of Brexit in the United Kingdom. Populist leaders like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson successfully used nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric to rally support for leaving the European Union. While the Leave campaign resonated with many voters' frustrations over sovereignty and immigration, the complex economic and political consequences of Brexit were often downplayed or misrepresented (Dayan 2021). Since the referendum, the UK has faced significant challenges, including economic instability, trade disruptions, and political division. The long-term impact on the UK economy and its global standing demonstrates how populist-driven policies, though popular, can lead to detrimental outcomes that were not fully considered during the populist campaign. In summary, populism can result in 'too much democracy' where the democratic process is subverted for personal gain rather than the public good. While populism may initially seem to reinvigorate democracy by addressing neglected issues, its long-term effects often result in the erosion of democratic institutions and the implementation of harmful policies. This illustrates that there can indeed be too much democracy when populism subverts the very principles of pluralism and balanced governance that are essential to a functioning democracy.


Totalitarianism 

On the other hand, excessive and unchecked democracy raises important questions about the balance between democratic principles and the potential for extremist outcomes. In fact, Robert Michels suggested that all forms of organisation, including democratic ones, inevitably evolve towards oligarchy, concentrating power in the hands of a few (Michels, 2016). Historical examples illustrate how democratic processes can sometimes lead to totalitarianism, an extreme form of government that seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. In totalitarian regimes, such as Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, through eroding political institutions and by imposing ideological conformity, individual freedom was supressed, all in the name of democracy (Ardent 1973). This is further connected to and an example of the dangers of excessive populism and mob rule. The rise of the National Socialist Party in Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, occurred through democratic elections within the proportional representation system of the Weimar Republic. This system allowed minority and extremist parties to gain significant influence and, eventually, power. Similarly, Benito Mussolini's fascist party in Italy gained popular support through democratic means before establishing a dictatorial regime. Beyond Europe, Julius Nyerere, initially elected in a democratic process, later consolidated power and curtailed democratic freedoms. This illustrates the dangers of unchecked political power and the erosion of democratic principles when there is excessive democracy. It suggests that while democracy is essential, there are limits to democratic governance that must be upheld to prevent the emergence of authoritarian regimes. (Ardent 1973). In such regimes, individual voices are suppressed, and the benefits of governance are often only enjoyed by a select few. For instance, elected as the leader of the Nazi Party in 1921, Adolf Hitler's ideology, rooted in racism and anti-Semitism, gained traction amidst the anger and disillusionment of the German populace following their defeat in the First World War. This democratic process ultimately led to atrocities like the Holocaust and the destruction of democratic pluralism. This is what political theorist Carl Schmitt termed "democratic self-destruction": when the unchecked extension of democratic principles could lead to the paradoxical result of undermining democracy itself (Schmitt, 1985). However, critics may argue that factors beyond democracy, such as economic despair and post-war sacrifices, contributed to the rise of fascism. Despite this, fascism's roots in the popular support of the middle and lower-middle classes highlight how democratic processes can sometimes reflect the will of the people in ways that lead to anti-democratic outcomes (Horne, 2005:39). 


Critics of the notion that excessive democracy leads to totalitarianism argue that the problem lies not in democracy itself but in the failure to safeguard democratic institutions and principles. They may point out that robust checks and balances, a strong civil society, and an independent judiciary are essential components of a healthy democracy. For instance, countries like the United States and Switzerland, with their strong institutional frameworks, have managed to maintain stable democracies despite periods of intense populism and political upheaval. Moreover, the success of democracies in promoting human rights and economic development suggests that the solution is not less democracy, but better democracy. Improving civic education, ensuring media freedom, and promoting inclusive governance can mitigate the risks associated with populism and extremism. As Fareed Zakaria notes, the answer to the challenges facing democracy is not to curtail democratic processes but to deepen and strengthen democratic institutions to ensure they function effectively (Zakaria, 2003). In summary, while democracy aims to uphold individual rights and pluralism, excessive democracy can paradoxically lead to their erosion. Historical evidence shows that unchecked democratic processes can result in the rise of totalitarian regimes that damage democracy itself. The challenge, therefore, lies in finding a balance where democratic principles are upheld without opening the door to extremist and authoritarian outcomes.


Tyranny of the majority

Thirdly, the tyranny of the majority can be a form of excessive democracy. This concept refers to the dominance of the majority’s preferences and values, often leading to the suppression of dissenting voices and minority viewpoints. John Stuart Mill observed that individuals in his time were ‘lost in the crowd,’ making decisions not because they genuinely believed them, but because they aligned with the mass social identities, such as the middle class in the United Kingdom. Most people adhered to the general rule that their preferences were addressed by others without independent thought or understanding (Mill, 1859). This phenomenon can be dangerous to democracy because the majority can naturally and automatically suppress individual and minority voices. When most people make decisions based on their social positions rather than truly expressing their opinions, democracy loses its purpose of collecting diverse ideas, leading to the tyranny of the majority. This majority can suppress the opinions and political interests of minority groups. For example, although slavery was officially abolished in 1865 in the United States, its Congress enacted the Jim Crow racial segregation laws that excluded most black people from voting through poll taxes. Considered a 'symbol of democracy' with senators selected by the majority, the U.S. Congress in this case only upheld the views of the white majority at the expense of the black minority. It perfectly demonstrates how ‘too much democracy’ can lead to the tyranny of the majority, damaging individual rights, diverse voices, and the political interests of minorities.


Some might criticise that the tyranny of the majority is merely an ‘imaginary monster’ for elites and nobles like Mill. By claiming its existence, elites and nobles could seize control of power. Additionally, they might criticise that the case in the U.S. cannot fully represent a democratic regime since not everyone was included in voting at the time. However, more recent events also prove that this tyranny still exists in our time. For instance, India elected Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh has the largest population in India, and Hinduism is the most prevalent religion in the country. Yogi, supported by an absolute majority in India, is also radically against the Muslim minority in the country, such as enacting the anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act. His decision provoked widespread protests among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh and spreading fear in Muslim communities (BBC, 2019). This shows how the majority population of Uttar Pradesh and India chose policies benefiting themselves, suppressing the rights of minorities. In short, 'too much' democracy can lead to the tyranny of the majority, which can go against the original intentions of democracy by suppressing individual rights and freedoms, thereby weakening the diversity of opinions.


Impact of decision making process

Moreover, ‘too much democracy’ can impact the decision-making process by making it cumbersome and inefficient. Democratic decision-making requires collecting ideas from people and voting to finalise policies, which can be time-consuming. When parties or opinion leaders seek more votes for their policies, they might propose extreme ideas, provoking conflicts among citizens with differing views. This excessive engagement in policymaking can lead to inefficiency and societal fragmentation, eroding political stability as governance becomes subject to rapid shifts in public opinion. Excessive democracy can also result in political gridlocks, as decision-making bodies struggle to reconcile conflicting demands. For example, in July 2023, electing the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the U.S. took 15 rounds of voting, wasting four days before Kevin McCarthy was elected (McPherson, Weiss, and Reilly 2023). This case revealed the inefficiency of the democratic process even in an indirect democracy. Another example is the U.S. immigration policy debate, which illustrates how extreme opinions can lead to social fragmentation. At the time, Republicans and Democrats held opposing views on immigration, causing conflicts and incomplete policy goals. Under Trump, the focus was on building a border wall, while Democrats later shifted to a more welcoming stance. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis transported unauthorized migrants to Democrat-controlled states, exemplifying ongoing discord (Sandoval et al. 2022).


Some may argue that extensive democratic engagement is essential for truly representative governance. They contend that involving more citizens in decision-making ensures that policies reflect the diverse needs and desires of the entire population, thereby enhancing legitimacy and fairness. This perspective suggests that there cannot be too much democracy because every voice and opinion contributes to a more equitable society. However, while inclusivity is important, the examples of inefficiency and social fragmentation suggest that there can indeed be too much democracy. Without mechanisms to streamline decision-making and manage conflicts, excessive democracy can hinder effective governance. The balance between broad participation and efficient governance is crucial. Too much democracy can lead to gridlock and policy inconsistency, undermining political stability and effective decision-making. In short, too much democracy can occur when policymaking becomes inefficient and leads to social fragmentation due to extreme opinions and conflicts.


Conclusion

Indeed, there is such thing as too much democracy, when excessive power of the majority negatively impacts on others (Schumpeter 1943). Populism’s illusionary democracy, emergence of totalitarianism, tyranny of the majority and inefficient decision-making process are just some of the results of excessive democracy in contemporary politics. Populism’s illusionary democracy damages citizens’ right when populist leaders are only seeking their own profit by using the passion form the crowds. Totalitarianism is born under strong will of people and has a democratic process leading to is, but such will of people can result in anti-human crimes under the control of a leader. The phenomenon of tyranny of the majority revealed that democratic processes can in fact lead to suppressing individual opinion and even individual freedom. The inefficiency and the risk of social fragmentation in democratic process of decision making is also a time when democracy might have negative outcome, deviating from its initial intention.



References

 
 
 

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