Populism, antagonism and institutions: militant readings of Laclau's work from Latin America

Abstract

This article analyzes the critiques of the political and institutional deficits within Ernesto Laclau's populism theory. These critiques argue that Laclau reduces populism to a moment of rupture, neglecting its institutional dimension. The paper focuses on how Latin American populist experiences highlight theoretical deficiencies and provide corrective proposals. Through the “militant readings” of Paula Biglieri, Luciana Cadahia, and Damián Selci, the text explores solutions that integrate theory and political practice. In Seven Essays on Populism, Biglieri and Cadahia propose institutional politicization, while Selci addresses the internalization of antagonism through the figure of the militant. The article reconstructs the problem of populism and institutions, presents these theoretical solutions, and concludes with a definition of militant reading.