On Politics: Myths of Populism

European politics has undergone profound transformations over the past twenty years, shifting from the post-Cold War optimism of an expanding European Union to a landscape defined by anti-systemic challenges and democratic fragility. Populism is frequently mischaracterized as an inevitable, monolithic wave; instead, it functions as an anti-pluralist strategy where actors claim a monopoly on representing the "real people" to delegitimize opposition. Mainstream parties often exacerbate this by adopting technocratic stances or imitating far-right rhetoric, both of which fail to address underlying voter grievances. Democratic renewal requires a return to "retail politics"—active, physical engagement on the ground—and the preservation of public spaces like squares and streets, which are essential for holding power accountable. Jan-Werner Müller, a professor of politics at Princeton, emphasizes that democracy is a dynamic process of conflict resolution rather than a static, consensus-driven system.