A comparison of populism and its impact on the judiciary in Argentina and Italy : diplomsko delo

Miklič, Tomás (author), Durnik, Mitja (mentor), Nikolić, Bruno (comentor)

Populism, characterized by a dichotomy between the people and corrupt elites, challenges the traditional balance of power, which can have a significant impact on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. In many cases, populist movements seek to undermine the authority of judicial institutions and weaken their ability to act as an effective counterweight to the executive branch. The research explores the influence of populist movements on the judiciary, focusing on Argentina and Italy during the periods of Kirchnerism and Berlusconism, respectively. The study aims to identify the type of populism applied by both populist movements, the patterns of influence in the executive-judicial relationship and its impact on judicial independence. The research justifies its importance by highlighting the need to preserve the integrity of the judiciary amid populist challenges. Two research methods were used: the descriptive method to describe the theory of the separation of powers, the forms of government, the types of populism and the strategies of this last phenomenon in the relationship with the judiciary. The analytical method was used to compare the impact of these movements on judicial independence. The research highlights specific strategies and actions of these movements that have influenced the judicial systems of Argentina and Italy. In conclusion, it contributes to understanding populist influence on democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary, while identifying limitations and proposing avenues for future research.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Populism, Judiciary, Argentina, Italy, Kirchnerism, Berlusconism
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: FU - Faculty of Administration
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [T. Miklič]
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: IX, 52 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-156107
• UDC: 323.23:34(82:450)(043.2)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 195475715
• Publication date in RUL: 08.05.2024

MIKLIČ, Tomás, 2024, A comparison of populism and its impact on the judiciary in Argentina and Italy : diplomsko delo [online]. Bachelor’s thesis. Ljubljana : T. Miklič. [Accessed 18 May 2025]. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=156107

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Primerjava populizma in njegov vpliv na sodstvu v Argentini in Italiji

Abstract

Populizem, ki temelji na dikotomiji med ljudstvom in koruptivnimi elitami, izziva tradicionalno ravnovesje moči, kar lahko pomembno vpliva na neodvisnost in nepristranskost sodstva. V mnogih primerih populistična gibanja poskušajo spodkopavati avtoriteto sodnih institucij in oslabiti njihovo sposobnost delovanja, kot učinkovite protiuteži izvršilni veji oblasti. Raziskava raziskuje vpliv populističnih gibanj na sodstvo, pri čemer se osredotoča na Argentino in Italijo v obdobjih Kirchnerizma in Berlusconizma. Diplomsko delo si prizadeva ugotoviti vrsto populizma, ki sta ga uporabila oba populistična gibanja, vzorce vpliva v odnosu med izvršilno in sodno vejo oblastjo ter njegov vpliv na neodvisnost sodstva. Raziskava upravičuje svoj pomen s poudarjanjem potrebe po ohranitvi integritete sodstva v sredini populističnih izzivov. Uporabljeni sta bili dve raziskovalni metodi. Deskriptivna metoda za opis teorije delitve oblasti, oblike vladavine, vrste populizma in strategije tega zadnjega pojava v odnosu do sodstva. Z analitično metodo smo primerjali vpliv teh gibanj na neodvisnost sodstva. Raziskava izpostavlja posebne strategije in akcije teh gibanj, ki so vplivala na pravosodna sistema Argentine in Italije. Na koncu prispeva k razumevanju populističnega vpliva na demokratične institucije, zlasti sodstvo, hkrati pa ugotavlja omejitve in predlaga poti za prihodnje raziskave.

• Keywords: populizem, sodstvo, Argentina, Italija, kirchnerizem, berlusconizem