The Rise of Populism and Its Impact on Labour Law, Social Law and Social Policy

Abstract

This special edition of the International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations contains five articles, including this introduction. Their shared purpose is to explore the interrelationship between populism, labour law, social law and social policy. In particular, the articles investigate whether the recent rise in populism has had a direct impact, positive or negative, on the situation of the working class. The nexus of populism, labour law, social law and social policy will be examined in three perspectives, focusing on (1) the period when populists seek power, (2) the period when populists are in power, and (3) the consequences of populist rule. The specific research questions underpinning the articles in this issue are as follows. First, when may a politician or a leader be considered a populist? Second, once in power, do populists actually strive to address issues affecting ‘the people’, i.e., those who have suffered harm at the hands of the elites, and does that include issues that affect the working class? Third, if so, how are these issues addressed? Fourth, what indicators can be used to demonstrate a link between the populist reforms (changes) and populist slogans? In other words, is there a ‘populist agenda’ as far as social issues are concerned? Fifth, are populists effective at implementing their slogans on social issues? Sixth, do populist agendas and actions create (and later implement) a new conceptual model of social and economic relations that could serve as an alternative to the current liberal market economy model? Populist Parties, Labour Law, Social Policy, Argentina, Brazil, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United States