On Monday, 7 April, Giuseppe Martinico from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies will return to the Comparative Law of Institutional Communication course to continue the discussion on populisms initiated on 26 March. His lecture on The Added Value of European Constitutionalism in the Face of the Populist Challenge will begin at 10:30 AM in room E1 at Polo Piagge.
The session will explore how the principles and tools of European constitutionalism can be mobilized to address the democratic erosion associated with populist trends. Drawing on both legal theory and recent political developments, the lecture will invite students to reflect on the potential – and the limits – of European constitutionalism as a response to the challenges posed by illiberal movements across Europe. Professor Martinico will examine key constitutional principles such as the rule of law, human rights protections, and democratic accountability in the context of populist rhetoric and actions that threaten these very foundations.
The lecture will also discuss the way populisms, particularly in countries like Hungary and Poland, manipulate constitutional principles, such as national identity, to justify actions that erode the rule of law and democratic institutions. He will analyze how populists often distort provisions like Article 4(2) of the Treaty on European Union, isolating them from their broader context and using them to justify derogations from EU obligations, thereby challenging the primacy of EU law and undermining the protection of shared European values. By reflecting on the broader European legal framework, Professor Martinico will encourage students to critically analyze whether European constitutionalism, often viewed as a stabilizing force, can continue to provide effective solutions in the face of increasing political pressures.
Populisms have become an increasingly important subject of study within the field of constitutional law. The rise of populist movements has significant implications for both legal frameworks and public discourse, especially as these movements misuse key concepts of European constitutionalism to challenge the foundational norms of liberal democracy. In this context, the intersection of constitutional law and communication becomes essential for understanding how populist rhetoric manipulates sovereignty, national identity, and the rule of law to shape public opinion, undermine democratic institutions, and challenge constitutional safeguards.
