Introduction: Anti-Constitutional Populism

In recent years political movements of a decidedly ‘anti-establishment’ character have taken many countries by storm, and many observers by surprise. Among the characteristics these movements share is that they, and more particularly their leaders, claim uniquely to represent the true, real people of the country, a claim that does not depend upon, but frequently can boast confirmation in, electoral victory. For unlike standard-issue coup-ists and putsch-ists, communists and fascists (also anti-establishmentarian until they become established), these movements are not shy of elections. They feed off them.