Populism and illiberal democracies. the hungarian Case

The term ‘democratic’ is usually referred to those constitutions that reflect, and, at the same time, tend to ensure, the ‘government by the people’ rule together with the rule of law, including judicial independence and, strictly related, the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights against infringements or abuses committed by public powers. While that opinion appears sufficiently consolidated, it should be added that the worldwide diffusion (from Russia to Iran, and from Turkey to Venezuela) of constitutions that provide the holding of free elections without granting citizens’ fundamental rights tends to blur the sharp divide between democracy and totalitarism that characterized the 20th century. These regimes, sometimes depicted as ‘illiberal democracies’, should not be confused with dictatorships, nor, on the other hand, with constitutional democracies, given their failure to comply with the standards of the rule of law.