“It is not easy to write something original and important about populism these days but this is exactly what Takis Pappas has done.” – Ivan Krastev, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia
“Takis Pappas offers a taut and incisive view of populism, pared down to democratic illiberalism. In a sharp and vigorous analysis, he argues for the separation of what is necessary for understanding populism from what is frequently miscategorized. Pappas unpacking of the notion of the people is a particularly valuable instance of his impressive capacity for conceptual distinctions and disaggregation. The result is an analytically trenchant interrogation of the ideas, practices, leadership styles and recent comparative histories of populism that will stimulate considerable debate among its students and claim a noteworthy place on the populism bookshelf.” – Michael Freeden, University of Oxford
“In this interesting and important contribution to a crucial debate, Takis Pappas highlights through an impressively wide-ranging theoretical discussion the inherent threat that populism poses to liberal democracy. Then he demonstrates through an extensive investigation of crucial cases under what conditions populist leaders can achieve their nefarious goals. The conclusion is that liberal democracy faces a serious challenge, but is not defenseless.” – Kurt Weyland, University of Texas at Austin
“The subject of populism is now at the center of public concern in countries around the world, but scholarship on the subject is only beginning to catch up. Takis Pappas was one of the first social scientists to make a systematic effort to identify the essential characteristics of present-day populism and to distinguish it from related phenomena, a task he has carried out in a highly original and generally persuasive manner. His new book, which treats populism as synonymous with democratic illiberalism, demonstrates that he remains at the forefront of scholarship in this field. It will also be of interest to anyone concerned with the broader question of the relationship between liberalism and democracy.” – Marc F. Plattner, Journal of Democracy
“This book provides both scholars and practitioners with thoughtful critiques, exacting typologies, and wide-ranging analyses of populism as democratic illiberalism. At the heart of populism’s growing appeal are the growing anxieties of the middle class that they are about to lose their hard-won gains-and the leaders who successfully exploit these fears.” – Anna Grzymala-Busse, Stanford University
“How do you know populism when you see it? In this ground-breaking book, Takis Pappas uses logic and the principles of political theory to develop a clear-cut set of empirical guidelines through which to assess populism and the dangers it poses to liberal democracy. Covering not only the politics of populists, through their direct appeals to ‘the people’, charismatic leadership, and symbolic politics, but also their policies in different institutional settings, this remarkable book stands out for its sweeping discussion of the causes and consequences of populism in power in Europe and the Americas.”
– Vivien A. Schmidt, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Pardee School, Boston University
“This book makes a distinctive and novel contribution to the vast and still-growing field on populism by analyzing the effects of the financial and economic crisis in Europe. In doing so, the authors also rediscover and give new scope to the concept of ‘crisis’. Kriesi and Pappas have assembled an impressive group of authoritative and regional experts, and have successfully combined their detailed knowledge with a coherent overarching framework for analysis. The result is a convincing, informative and – practically and theoretically – relevant comparative analysis of the different parts of Europe” – Daniele Caramani, University of Zurich
“After years of grand statements about the rise of populism in the wake of the economic crisis, it was high time for a comprehensive academic study on the topic. Kriesi & Pappas’s book dispels many popular myths and should be essential reading for academics, journalists, and politicians alike.” – Cas Mudde, University of Georgia
“In this engagingly written, compellingly argued and, above all, timely book, Pappas offers a thorough account of the reasons that caused the Greek crisis. It is a full-blown empirical study on populism at single-country level, which also helps our better understanding of why, and how, politics has contributed in crucial ways to the economic crisis that plagued southern Europe.” – Leonardo Morlino, LUISS Guido Carli and IPSA past president
“With populist parties now gaining ground across the continent, Professor Pappas could become a vital and controversial authority regarding the future of European democracy.” – Nicholas Barrett, European University Institute Time
“Replete with insights.” – Spyros Sofos, Lund University
“This is an outstanding contribution to the comparative politics and sociology, and not only to the study of Greek society and politics. It contributes to the growing field of the study of transitions to, and consolidation of, new democracies and our understanding of the role of Prime Minister Karamanlis. It is also one of the few monographic studies of a conservative party, Nea Democractia, that has been able to institutionalize itself and to play a continuous role. It combines a theoretical approach with solid field work in a richly textured society.” – Juan J. Linz, Yale University
“Το βιβλίο είναι καλογραμμένο με πολλά ιστορικά στοιχεία και κυρίως έχει μια θεωρία για το πώς μια χώρα μπαίνει και πώς βγαίνει από την κρίση” – Πάσχος Μανδραβέλης, Καθημερινή
