Description
Beyond their ideological beliefs, one of the most common epithets given to populist actors throughout the world is that they are authentic, or at least more authentic than other politicians. Drawing on the literature in theatre and performance studies, this paper will firstly develop the relationship between the concept of authenticity and that of political performances, showcasing the complex need for such performances to conceal their own genesis and artificiality in order to appear convincing to their audience. In a second time, following the insights of the stylistic approach to populism, this paper will argue that transgression, that is the voluntary violation of socio-cultural norms, is the central strategy used by populist actors to create the illusion of authenticity, subsequently demonstrating the purposes of transgressing implicit rules of political conduct, notably that of highlighting the disconnect between other politicians and ordinary citizens. Finally, this paper will discuss the limits and paradoxical nature of transgression as a performative strategy to produce authenticity. Indeed, revealing the artificial features of the political performances of one’s opponents is a double-edged sword as it highlights the artificiality all forms of political performances, including their own.
