Populism as moral engineering and the enemy of pluralism

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of populism, drawing on the concepts of political scientist Jan-Werner Müller. The author exposes populism not as a mere political trend, but as a form of moral engineering that seeks to exclude pluralism from public debate. The text details the mechanisms by which populist movements appropriate the concept of the "true people," positioning themselves as its sole, authentic representatives. The reader will learn how processes such as the colonization of state institutions and the use of discriminatory legalism lead to the erosion of the foundations of democracy. The analysis also touches on the psychological aspects of resentment and the crisis of representation, pointing to the need to rebuild civic trust and dialogue as key defensive strategies for contemporary democratic systems threatened by the authoritarian rhetoric of moral unity.