Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Relations Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 43-45)

ABSTRACT
This thesis examines the surge of populism against liberal democracy. The research
topic thus The rise of populism and the crisis of liberal democracy: a comparative
study of the US and Hungary. In recent years, cases like the French presidential
election, Brexit, Donald Trump’s election, Victor Orban, and many more events make
populism a spot on due to the failure of the liberal democratic system. Though, liberal
democracy had triumphed and was at a time a mainstream form of government.
Previously, the Soviet Union had collapsed; The Berlin Wall fell; the emergence of
liberal democracy throughout Europe had a conclusive success. Russia and South
Africa’s tottered apartheid regimes were also part of the transition. Liberal democracy
triumphed both in principle and practice. However, economic dislocation, emotional
backlash, and beyond, across the West triggered a demand for better leadership. Even
though populism approves of majoritarianism and principles of popular sovereignty, it
questions constitutionalism and individuals' liberal protections. Furthermore, its
meaning of “the people” as homogeneous does not represent the basis of a new
democracy that stands to protect pluralism. In the light of comparison, two events are
analyzed: the election of the US and Hungary. The two actors explore their strategies
as right-wing populists. The failure of the mainstream political system enabled the
revolt of US populist, Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Trump however benefitted
from the expanded polarization by focusing on conservative positions, like, antiimmigration, economic protectionism to save occupations from going abroad, and
vows to implement more tax cuts. Hence, Trump situated himself to claim that the
average American doesn’t deserve the reigning political administration. However,
Trump failed as a populist. Populism in Hungary however has experienced vast
success since the reign of Victor Orban (2010) who has won four elections as frontman
of his national populist party Fidesz as he termed the system of government an 'illiberal
democracy. Today, the global scene has changed, as increasing support for populist
parties has aided the disruption in politics of many Western societies. Therefore,
populists seek to mend the broken pieces between liberalism and democracy. I,
however, contend that the most compelling answer is situated in the examination of
two theories here. The economic insecurity factor, highlight the consequences of the
changes that transformed the workforce and society in post-industrial economies.
Secondly, the cultural backlash thesis, that supports can be explained as a retro reaction
by once-predominant sectors of the population to progressive value change, which I
found more influential.
Keywords: Economy, Elites, Cultural backlash, Hungary, Liberal democracy, People,
Populism, Trump, United States, Viktor.