Ernesto Laclau Concept Populism

Ernesto Laclau’s theory of populism views it not as a fixed ideology but as a political logic of constructing “the people” against an elite or power bloc. In On Populist Reason, he argues that diverse social demands become unified through shared opposition, forming a collective identity called “the people.” Central to this process are empty signifiers (like “justice” or “freedom”) that can gather different meanings and mobilize support. For Laclau, populism is a normal and even necessary feature of democracy, as it enables marginalized voices to challenge dominant power structures.