Albertazzi and McDonnell (2015) Populists in Power

219 Pages·2015·37.269 MB·English

by  Daniele Albertazzi and Duncan McDonnell

Populists in Power
_
The main area of sustained populist growth in recent decades has been
Western Europe, where populist parties have not only endured longer than
expected, but have increasingly begun to enter government. Focusing on three
-
high-proiile cases in Italy and Switzerland the Popolo della Liberty (PDL),
-
Lega Nord (LN) and Schweizerische Volkspartei (SVP) Populists in Power
is the first in-depth comparative study to examine whether these parties are
indeed doomed to failure in othce as many commentators have claimed.
Albertazzi and McDonnell's findings run contrary to much of the received
wisdom. Based on extensive original research and fieldwork, they sh.ow that
populist parties can be built to last, can achieve key policy victories and can
survive the experience of government, without losing the support of either
the voters or those within their parties.
Contributing a new perspective to studies in populist politics, Popu lifsrs in
Power is essential reading for undergrz- and postgraduate students, as
well as scholars interested in modern government, parties and politics.
Daniele Albertazzi is a Senior Lecturer in European Politics at the University
of Birmingham, UK .
Duncan McDonnell is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the School of Govern-
ment and International Relations in Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Routledge Studies in Extremism and Democracy
of
Series Editors: Roger Eatwell, University Bath, and Matthew Goodwin,
of
University Nollirzgl1¢zn°z.
of
Founding Series Editors: Roger Eatweli, University Bath, and Cas Mudde,
of
University Georgia.
1-his new series encompasses academic studies within the broad fields of
'extrenlisnl" and 'democracyi These topics have traditionally been considered
largely in isolation by academics. A key focus of the series, therefore, is the
(inter-) reZcmEon between extremism and democracy. Works will seek to answer
questions such as to what extent 'extremist' groups pose a major threat to
democratic parties, or how democracy can respond to extremism without
undermining its own democratic credentials.
The books encompass two strands:
Rfxznlecige Studies in Ewctr€mi§*n? and Denwc'racy includes books with an
introductory and broad focus which are aimed at students and teachers. These
books will be available in hardback and paperback. Titles include:
Understanding Terrorism in America New British Fascism
From the Klan to al Qaeda Rise of the British National Party
Chris t0p/1e?' Hem vi or Matthew Goodwin
Fascism and the Extreme Right The End of Terrorism?
Roger Ecrr11»'eH Leonard Wezizberg
Racist Extremism in Central and Mapping the Extreme Right in
Eastern Europe Contemporary Europe
Edited by Cas lWuddc' From local to transnational
Edit( if in /Incff ca in/Iammom,
Political Parties and Terrorist Groups .Emma/we! Go dif and Brian Je/zkzhs
(2nd Edition)
Leonard I/Vefnberg, Ami Pedahzur Varieties of Right-Wing Extremism
and Arie Periiger in Europe
Edited by ASzdrea Manfmone,
The New Extremism in 21st Century .Emu-zanuel Go dif and
Britain Briar: JG/1/{[}2,5'
Edited by Roger Eatwf-'N MM'
.Matthew Goodwin
Right-Wing Radicalism Today Revolt on the Right
Perspectives from Europe and the US Explaining support for the radical
Edited by Sabine von Mering and right in Britain
WE
Timothy Robert Ford and A/!clta'hew Goodwin
Routledge Research in Extremism and Democracy offers a forum for innovative
new 1°esea.rch intended for a more specialist readership. These books will be in
hardback only. Titles include:
1. Uncivil Society? 8. Extreme Right Activists in
Contentious politics in post- Europe
Communist Europe Through the magnifying glass
Edited by Peer Kopek-ky and Bert Klclfzciermans' &
Cas Muncie NOFTPZCI Mayer
2. Political Parties and Terrorist 9. Ecological Politics and
Groups Democratic Theory
Leonard Weinberg and Ami .Mather *J Humphrey
Pedal/zfrur
10. Reinventing the Italian R_igh t
3. Western Democracies and the Territorial politics, populism
New Extreme Right Challenge and 'post-Fascism'
Edited by Roger Ecztwell and Carlo Ruzza and Stejizno Fella
Cas Ei/ludde
11. Political Extremes
4. Confronting Right Wing Extremism An investigation into
and Terrorism in the USA history of terms and concept
George Jo/Iichael from antiquity to the
present
'
5. Anti-Political Establishment Uwe Back's
Parties
A comparative analysis 12. The Populist Radical Right in
Amir' Abedi Poland
The patriots
6. American Extremism Rajizl Panlcowski
History, politics and the militia
D. J Molloy 13. Social and Political Thought of
Julius Ebola
7. The Scope of Tolerance Paul Furlong
Studies on the costs of free
expression and Ikeedom of the press 14. Radical Left Parties in Europe
Raphael Cohen-Alfnagor Luke A/[arch
15. Counterterrorism in Turkey 21. Populism in Western Europe
Policy choices and policy effects Comparing Belgium, Germany
toward the Kurdistan Workers' and the Netherlands
Party (PKK) Texan Puuwels
Mustajkz Collar Una]
22. Extreme Right Parties in
16. Class Politics and the Scandinavia
Radical Right Anders Wzdféldt
Edited by Jerks Rydgren
23. Catholicism and Nationalism
1'7. Rethinking the French New Right Changing nature of party
Alternatives to modernity politics
Tanzir Bar- On Madczlc'lza .Mfg-'cr Reserzdc
18. Ending Terrorism in Italy 24. Populists in Power
Anna Bull and Philip Cooke Daniele Afbertazzi and Duncan
A4eDonnell
I9. Politics of Eugenics
Productionism, population, and 25. The Politicisation of Migration
national welfare Edited by Wourer van. Der Brig,
Alberto Spektorowski and Gr'cJnnf D'Armzto, .boost Be*1'khouI
Liza Salmon and Didier Ruedin
20. Democratic Extremism in 26. Transforming the
Theory and Practice Transform ation"
Power to the people The East European radical right
Pau! Lucardie in the political process
Edirecl' by M'z'd'zc1e! Mfbzkenberg
As populist parties increasingly enter government coalitions we need solid
academic research rather than received wisdom. Populists in Power is the first
truly empirical systematic study on the topic, shattering many comforting old
'truths' and raising uncomlbrtable new issues.
Cas nudge, A.s'sociczle Professor, University of Georgia, USA
When mainstream parties can't prevent their populist rivals doing well in
elections they can always lake comfort in the fact that, if they ever do so well
that they get into government, they're bound to make a mess of things, right?
Wrong. In this fascinating book, McDonnell and Albertazzi lake a look at all
the available evidence a good deal of which they themselves have gathered -
and give the lie to this common and all-too-convenient wisdom.
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Queen Affray Ur2iver's'i¢'_v of London, UK
This book represents a key development in the study of European populism,
showing through rigorous research that populism in power is not what many
expect it to be. As populism grows and develops in Europe, this book advances
our knowledge in ways that challenge conventional understanding and allows
us to make sense of the growing realities of populists in power.
Paul Thggarr, Professor of Politics, University of Sussex, UK
Albertazzi and McDonnell do an excellent job in presenting the ideologies,
organizational models and recent experiences in power of the most important
Italian and Swiss populist parties. The findings of this timely analysis of
populists in power make an important contribution to the study of West
European party systems.
Hankerer Krfesf, Slfefn Rokkan Chair of (i`ompamlive PoZ.IFic°5,
European University Insfirute, Florence, Italy

Populists in Power
Daniele Albertazzi and
Duncan McDonnell
Roudedge
Ta_ Flor &Francs Group
LONDON AND NEW YORK
First published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxen OXIDE 4Rl\'
and by Rouilcdge
71 l Tl*1i1'd Aveline, New York. NY 1001 T
RrJz.M'<3a'g€ is an 1'n1,rJrinf fly" fl'1eII Yksfof' & F:'ar:(°i.5 Group, an ir@frJ1'rH a »'Ju5ir1e.y.Q
cIt":: 2015 Daniele Albertazzi and Duiican McDo1111l:H
The right of Daniele Albertazzi and Duncan McDonnell to be idcntitied as
the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the
Copyright. Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
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trademarks. and arc used only for identification and explanation without intent
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British Lfbrczry Clorrafraguflxg fn Pufnffoarfon Dara
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Ccuafoguing in Pubhiearforr :Ma
Alberlazzi, Daniele
Populists in power I by Daniele Alberlazzi and Duncan McDonnell.
pages cm. - {Rout]edge studies in extremism and democracy)
Includes index.
1. Populism-Europe, Western. 2. Political parties-Europe,
Western. I. McDonnell, Duncan. 1972- Il. Title.
.'iN94.A979A38 2m 5
324.2'l3094-dc23
9014034239
ISBN: 978-0-415-60097-2 {hack)
ESBN: 9?8-l-315-?25?8-9 (ebb]
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Out of House Publishing
Contents
List of figures x
List of tables xii
A ckno1vledgenwn to xiii
I From periphery Lo power: populists in Western Europe I
2 Forza Italia and the Popolo della Liberty. 17
3 The Lega Nord 34
4 The Schweizerische Volkspartei 51
5 Elections 69
6 Pledges vs actions in government 105
7 Members' and representatives' reactions to government
participation 131
8 Conclusions: populists and power 165
Appendix 1: Sufiunary of relewmt political events in Italy,
2008--20]1 183
Appentifx 2: Surrzrrunj# 0/'relevant political events in
Swit='er[ana', 2()f)3-2007 192
Index 200