Andrej Babiš and his party the Action of Dissatisfied (ANO) exemplify a form of non-ideological, technocratic populism that avoids taking strong stances on divisive social issues. Babiš has proposed a series of controversial reforms—such as abolishing the Senate, regional governments, and local councils—under the justification that Czechia’s democratic institutions impede effective governance and have been corrupted by political elites. Although these measures have not passed, they demonstrate a demure populism that seeks to deteriorate democratic institutions without stirring ideological controversy.

Example of Non-ideological Populism in Practice (Czechia)

Non-ideological, anti-establishment populists who have recently overseen periods of democratic backsliding in their countries include Borisov (Bulgaria), Babiš (Czechia), and the Five Star Movement (Italy).

Wesleyan University

Non-ideological populism strays from left-right ideological debates to focus on issues such as corruption and government reform. It is populistic in that it casts the establishment as a corrupt elite that exploits the people. It often justifies radical, anti-democratic government reforms as necessary to counter the corrupt establishment.

Non-ideological, anti-establishment populism

Kyle, J. & Meyer, B. (2020, February 7). High Tide? Populism in Power, 1990-2020. Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. https://institute.global/policy/high-tide-populism-power-1990-2020

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