Populism and the "empty throne" of democracy

Political theory has not yet succeeded in proposing a clear definition of populism. Inspired by the thought of Claude Lefort, the article argues that populism is the attempt to make sure the "empty throne" of democracy can be taken by a vision of the people conceived of as a plebiscitary force, one giving birth to a homogeneous popular will. It is a perspective incompatible with the logic governing the democratic rule of law at least in two respects. On the one hand, the one concerning the role and function of representative bodies. On the other hand, the one referring to the system of constitutional guarantees.