Populismo y democracia a través de sus prácticas. Los gabinetes itinerantes en la revolución ciudadana (Ecuador 2007-2017)]

Abstract

This article reflects on the concepts of populism and democracy from the study of a singular and innovative political practice: the itinerant cabinets implemented by the government of Rafael Correa in Ecuador (2007-2017). Our analysis is supported by a qualitative study of this political practice over a decade, based mainly on participant observation, and on interviews and documentary sources, which allows us to reveal the complex dynamics and meanings of these itinerant cabinets. We thus show the value of the analysis of practices to study political phenomena that are not usually treated in their most phenomenological aspects. This study allows us to broaden our understanding of populism by analysing the praxis of participatory democracy, the central role of leadership in the exercise of government, the weight of the people-oligarchy antagonism and the deep emotional content of politics.