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Populism and the 'Pathologies of rational choice theory'

Cannon, Barry orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-5205-6634 (2010) Populism and the 'Pathologies of rational choice theory'. Working Papers in International Studies Series. (Paper No. 2010-5). Centre for International Studies, Dublin City University, Ireland.

Abstract
This paper questions the orthodox institutionalist perspective and its reliance on rational choice theory in the literature on Latin American populism. Examining two articles on populism by Kurt Weyland and Kenneth M. Roberts, it argues that this dependence on rational choice theory promotes an overemphasis on elite leadership to the detriment of ideology and popular agency. Using a Marxist perspective, based on Laclau (2005) and using two case studies, President Fujimori of Peru (1990-2001) and President Chávez of Venezuela (1999-present), this paper argues that movements articulated with neoliberalism have much lower levels of popular involvement, while those influenced by socialism have a greater balance between populist leadership and bases, hence proving that ideology does have a determining impact on populist formations.
Metadata
Item Type:Working Paper (No. 2010-5)
Refereed:No
Subjects:Social Sciences > Political science
DCU Faculties and Centres:Research Initiatives and Centres > Centre for International Studies (CIS) > Working Papers in International Studies Series
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > School of Law and Government
Publisher:Centre for International Studies, Dublin City University
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:15103
Deposited On:29 Jan 2010 15:07 by Shane Martin . Last Modified 27 May 2022 11:26
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