Neoliberal populism in Latin America and eastern Europe

Why have neoliberal economics and populist politics coexisted in several Latin American and East European countries but not in others? This article analyzes three commonalities between neoliberalism and populism. First, both populist leaders and neoliberal experts have an adversarial relationship to parties and intermediary organizations. Populists see them as fetters on their personal latitude, while neoliberals condemn them as rent-seekers. Second, populists and neoliberals concentrate power at the apex of the state to boost their personal leadership and enact painful reforms. Finally, populists and neoliberals see the deep crisis facing their countries as an opportunity for populists to prove their charisma and for neoliberals to discredit the state-interventionist development model. Party weakness, a powerful presidency, and a deep crisis in combination are preconditions for the rise of neoliberal populism.