Populism and Polarization: Institutions, Violence, and Discourse in Mexico

This panel explores how populism and polarization in Mexico affect democratic institutions, electoral behavior, and political discourse. Amid a global trend toward increasing autocratization, Mexico represents a unique case where populist leadership has inherited and consolidated power through polarizing discourse, institutional reforms that weaken democratic checks, and an environment of electoral violence. This analysis aligns with the Congress theme, which calls for reflection on resisting the advance of autocratizing policies in polarized societies.