Pilar Veas

Contact: pilar.veas(at)mail.udp.cl

Ph.D. Candidate; Universidad Diego Portales

Pilar Veas holds a B.A. in Accounting and Auditing from the University of Santiago de Chile and a Master’s in Public Policy with a specialization in politics from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), as well as a Diploma in Public Policy Strategies from the University of Chile. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has gained professional experience in internal auditing, strategic planning, and performance management. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. at Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, where her research explores the relationship between mechanisms of direct democracy and populism in power from a comparative perspective. Her work reflects a deep commitment to understanding democratic practices and their evolving significance in contemporary politics.

Populism and direct democracy: a comparative study of an elective affinity

This research examines the relationship between populism and direct democracy as an expression of popular sovereignty. Populist leaders frequently challenge traditional representative democracy, advocating instead for direct democracy mechanisms as a means to express the general will. These tools may resonate with a citizenry increasingly dissatisfied with existing democratic systems and eager for meaningful change. This study empirically addresses whether an affinity exists between populist actors and direct democracy mechanisms, exploring both dimensions: supply and demand. The supply side analysis explores the relationship between presidents (in Latina America), prime ministers (in Europe) and the activation of direct democracy mechanisms at the national level during their terms. Meanwhile, the demand side analysis examines the association between the electoral populist vote, populist attitudes, and the preference for direct democracy mechanisms. Using a quantitative methodology and secondary data, this study adopts a comparative approach across Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe. The relevance of this research is threefold. First, it enhances understanding of how political actors engage with participatory mechanisms, moving beyond discursive claims. Second, this project innovatively addresses populist demand through two lenses: the electorate and populist attitudes. This dual approach strengthens empirical insights into populist preferences for direct democracy. Finally, this study fills a gap in comparative political science by providing a cross-regional analysis that encompasses countries with diverse traditions of populist and direct democracy, offering a systemic perspective by integrating both the supply and demand dimensions of populism.

Keywords: populist supply, populist demand, direct democracy mechanisms, popular sovereignty