The personal is political: The feminist critique of liberalism and the challenge of right-wing populism

Abstract The recent democratic backsliding and the decline of liberal hegemony have generated different explanations for turn away from democracy. This article offers an explanation based on feminist critique structural theoretical flaws within liberalism argues that these are used effectively by right-wing populism to endanger Using critiques political liberalism, including public/private political/non-political distinctions, claims choice allow flourishing bigotry intolerance in private sphere require respect equality only public has made vulnerable populist attack. Political rejected call recognize personal is relied institutions processes as barriers against illiberalism. Liberal states applying principles therefore ill equipped fight populists who rally their supporters around promise do with let leaders prejudices into policy. calls a redrawing lines between non-political, private, meet challenge populism.