Right-Wing Populism and the Disfigurement of Representative Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Latin America and Europe

This paper examines the impact of right-wing populism on representative democracy, focusing on the cases of Brazil and Italy. Drawing on the experiences of Jair Bolsonaro and Matteo Salvini, the study explores the contrasting trajectories of right-wing populism in Latin America and Europe as phenomena that threaten and disfigure the liberal-democratic model. The analysis combines theoretical insights from Ernesto Laclau and Nadia Urbinati with empirical evidence, highlighting three key dimensions: leadership, ideology, and audience. The findings reveal how these leaders construct equivalential chains using empty signifiers, such as religion and anti-establishment rhetoric, to foster antagonistic identities that challenge liberal-democratic norms. Bolsonaro’s reliance on Evangelical conservatism and Salvini’s invocation of Catholic nationalism illustrate how religion serves as a cornerstone of right-wing populist discourse. The study argues that, despite differences in regional contexts, both cases exemplify how right-wing populism undermines democratic pluralism by centralizing power in charismatic leaders, marginalizing dissent, and weaponizing societal cleavages. This comparative approach contributes to a deeper understanding of the transnational dynamics of right-wing populism and its implications for the future of representative democracy.