Left populism is dead, long live left hegemony. Lessons from European politics

Abstract

This paper examines the rise and decline of left populism in Europe, situating it within the broader context of the “populist moment” of the 2010s. While initially seen as a promising strategy to reinvigorate the radical left in response to economic crises and the delegitimisation of traditional centre-left parties, left populism has largely failed to achieve lasting political realignment. The analysis focuses on the conditions of possibility for populism, distinguishing between situational factors – such as crises, social demands, and institutional and social arrangements – and agent-related factors, including light and leader-centric organisation and cultural elitism. These constraints, along with the evolving political landscape, have significantly narrowed the space for left populist projects in Europe. The paper argues that while left populism may have influenced political discourse in certain contexts, its overall impact has been limited, raising critical questions about its viability as a long-term political strategy. In this sense, it suggests that hegemony, rather than populism, should serve the North Star of left political strategy.