Populist parties shifting the political discourse? A case study of the Economic Freedom Fighters in South Africa

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4253283
AutoresMarine Fölscher (Stellenbosch University), Nicola De Jager (0000-0001-6888-3135, Stellenbosch University), Robert Nyenhuis (0000-0003-4742-5594, California State Polytechnic University)
Ano2021
Volume59
Fascículo4
Páginas535-558
Data de publicação2021-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Journal of Modern African Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0022-278X • E-ISSN: 1469-7777
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0022278x21000276
OpenAlexW3216927828
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas9
Referências citadas34

This article examines the use of populist discourse in South African politics. We investigate speeches of leaders from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). We find that the EFF consistently employs populist appeals, while both the incumbent ANC and official opposition DA largely refrain. Our longitudinal analysis allows an examination of fluctuation across party leaders and electoral cycles, and illustrates that neither the ANC nor the DA have modified their political discourses in light of a rising populist challenger. However, there is some evidence that the two most dominant parties have reformed their programmatic offerings and behaviour in an attempt to compete with the EFF's popular appeal. The South African case offers important insights into the study of oppositional populism on the African continent, and a window into how major political parties may respond to emerging populist contenders

Alliance · Appeal · Democracy · Opposition (politics) · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Populism · Sociology · Law · Media Influence and Politics · Political Conflict and Governance · Populism, Right-Wing Movements