How to deal with populists? Democratic and planning theoretical perspectives in view of planning practice and research

The rise of populist forces presents a new challenge to spatial planning because of its potential for conflict in substantial and procedural terms. The aim of the article is to develop three perspectives on populism and planning based on democracy and planning theory and to draw conclusions for planning practice and planning research. The theories consulted are elitist, rational-technocratic theories, deliberative, participatory theories as well as radical democratic-agonistic theories. If we are to translate theses perspectives into planners' hypothetical courses of actions, a nuanced picture of possible strategies of action in dealing with populist actors and tendencies comes about. Planning practitioners may choose strategies like 'ignoring', 'arguing', 'integrating', 'excluding' and 'profiting from' populists. As such, planners and populists might become allies sharing a common interest in repoliticizing current conditions. Concluding, with said theoretical perspectives in mind, the contribution offers topics and questions for further research.