Criminal and Penal Populism

• In Event: Threats to Governance and Legitimacy

Abstract

This study explores how crime is transformed into political capital, focusing on the United States and the Philippines. It examines four archetypes: Crime Warrior Politician, Criminal Politician, Political Criminal Politician, and Fascist Criminal Politician. The concept of criminal populism is introduced, demonstrating how criminal acts by politicians can be politicized to enhance electoral appeal. It analyzes how these politicians use public performance and narrative within criminal justice and political spheres to gain electoral support. The study also discusses penal populism, which supports anti-crime policies, contrasting it with criminal populism to better understand the impact of these archetypes on crime and politics.

Author

• Chris N. Magno, Gannon University