ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part argues that populism left some positive impacts for democratization. It shows how populists led Latin American presidentialist democracies in crises toward competitive authoritarianism. The part explains historically how populism became a different "ism" when it accepted the democratic premise of using elections to get to power while simultaneously seeing the leader as a transcendental and charismatic figure that embodies the will of the people, and is beyond the formalities of liberal democracy. It suggests that in Western Europe "the institutions of democracy are strong enough to resist the assault of populism with little damage". The part differentiates two populist threats to democracy. The first is cornering the opposition. The second threat is undermining democracy from within using laws instrumentally, attempting against the separation of power, and attacking the media and civil society.
