Irina-Ana DROBOT

The Roles of Populism: Stability or Threat to Society?

Introduction

The roles of populism: stability or threat to society?. Explore populism's complex role: does it ensure social stability or threaten society? This paper examines global examples and the AUR party in Romania to understand its impact.

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to understand whether populism helps ensure social stability or poses a threat to it. In order to answer this research question, the paper relies on examining definitions and types of populism using some examples from around the world. This helps us understand the international, historical and political context in which populism appears. Populism has been seen as emerging in reply to crises in society. The response is a criticizing and rebellious one, wishing to bring changes. Populist parties can also lead to crises in society. The methodology section analyses the particular case of AUR party in Romania, based on its values, principles, and actions, and the way it resonates with definitions of populism. AUR was chosen for analysis since it embodies both tendencies, ensuring social stability in response to a crisis of values and lack of cohesion of the Romanians, and leading to social unrest through shocking questioning of values supported by the establishment, such as respect for minority groups, which are in their turn having as a purpose ensuring social cohesion. The data is collected from information on the party’s site, in the media, and in previous research. The values and actions of AUR are not completely anti-establishment, and communication is adapted to various contexts and social classes.

Review

This paper tackles a highly relevant and complex question: whether populism serves as a force for social stability or poses a threat. The abstract outlines an ambitious scope, beginning with a broad theoretical exploration of populism's definitions, types, and global historical context, framing it as a response to societal crises. This comprehensive introductory approach is commendable, setting the stage for a nuanced discussion of populism's multifaceted nature and its potential for both constructive and destructive outcomes. The central tension posed by the research question is well-articulated and provides a compelling analytical lens for the subsequent investigation. The methodology section focuses on a particular and well-justified case study: the AUR party in Romania. The rationale for choosing AUR—that it embodies both the stabilizing and threatening tendencies of populism—is compelling. The abstract indicates a clear approach to data collection, drawing from the party's official site, media coverage, and prior research, which suggests a multi-modal investigation into the party's values, principles, and actions. The preliminary findings, noting that AUR's anti-establishment stance is not absolute and its communication is adaptable, suggest a sophisticated analysis that moves beyond simplistic categorizations, promising a nuanced examination of a contemporary populist movement. While the abstract provides a strong foundation, the full paper would benefit from a more explicit outline of the theoretical framework used to connect the global understanding of populism to the specific dynamics of the AUR party. Specifically, how "social stability" and "threat" are conceptualized and measured in the context of the Romanian case would be crucial. Given the complexity of simultaneously positioning AUR as a response to a "crisis of values and lack of cohesion" and a driver of "social unrest," the paper should meticulously detail the mechanisms through which these dual roles are operationalized and evidenced. Further elaboration on how the paper will systematically analyze the interplay between AUR's rhetoric, actions, and their observable effects on societal cohesion and stability would strengthen its overall impact.

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