El lenguaje populista en el poder

Abstract

The article investigates the role of the language of antipolitics in policy propaganda. Populist language is commonly regarded as a useful tool to antagonize ruling elites and replace them in power. Less attention is devoted to the use of populist imagery in channelling popular consensus on projects of political reform or specific policy programmes. The article analyzes how the antipolitics motivation among citizens can be nurtured and amplified by the government, and in particular by charismatic leaders, in order to create support for reform of public administration and/or the introduction of new economic and social policies. The paper provides and discusses some cases of democratic leaders who used the populist language.