Abstract

The problematic nature of neopopulism is obvious for all to see. It is difficult therefore to avoid an unilateral and unquestioned approach to the subject. In particular, what is difficult to explain is the relationship between populism and liberal democracy. Some scholars sustain that neopopulism could subvert the rules of democratic constitutional State, some others are convinced that neopopulism is capable to hand back power to people. An important starting point for a not biased approach could be represented by Robert Dahl’s theory of democracy, that allows us to point out the circumstances under which neopopulism could become a danger to democracy or, on the contrary, a corrective for it.