The main objective of the proposed work is to study the various ways in which populism(s) interact with constitutionalism, in order to propose an approach to constitutional law that mitigates populist challenges to constitutional democracy by enabling greater popular participation in constitutional decision-making. Somewhat paradoxically, the main idea is that constitutionalism needs to become more “populist”, in order to overcome challenges posed by populist politics.

In recent years there has been an expanding literature on a phenomenon identified as “populist constitutionalism”, which refers to the constitutional discourses and practices of populist movements, parties or leaders and their engagement, once in power, with constitution-making and constitutional reform. In that sense, populist constitutionalism poses a challenge to constitutional democracy.