Electoral Systems Channel Populism

Where elites sit left of voters on immigration/crime, proportional representation creates space for new right parties (e.g., AfD) to enter and thrive. In majoritarian systems like the U.S., the same unmet demand tends to be expressed through hostile takeovers of existing parties (e.g., Trump remaking the GOP). Institutional rules thus shape the form, not just the level, of populist expression. — It links representation gaps to electoral design, guiding party strategy and reform debates about how institutional rules mediate populist surges.