16.06.2026 New Publication in Policy Studies: "Populism, rule of law, and the economy: counterfactual evidence from the Philippines"

In a new study titled "Populism, rule of law, and the economy: counterfactual evidence from the Philippines", published in Policy Studies, Sven Fischer investigates the consequences of populism for the rule of law and the economy in the Philippines. 

More precisely, the article examines the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022) in the Philippines and its impact on both institutional quality and economic performance. The findings suggest that Duterte's presidency had a significant and persistent negative effect on the rule of law, contributing to a broader deterioration of institutional quality. At the same time, the analysis shows improvements in certain economic indicators, particularly foreign direct investment inflows. The study contributes to ongoing debates about populism, governance, and the trade-offs between institutional quality and economic outcomes, providing new counterfactual evidence on one of the most consequential political administrations in recent Philippine history.

Access to full article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2026.2684755