This article explores the relationship between populism and democracy in Europe and Latin America, focusing on the exclusionary and inclusionary aspects of populism. It argues that a minimal and ideological definition of populism allows for a cross-regional analysis, identifying two subtypes: exclusionary populism in Europe and inclusionary populism in Latin America. The study uses four prototypical cases—Jean-Marie Le Pen and the French National Front (FN) in Europe, and Evo Morales and the Movement for Socialism (MAS) in Latin America—to compare the inclusionary and exclusionary features of populism. The analysis reveals that European populism is predominantly exclusionary, focusing on protecting the interests of the "pure people" against the "corrupt elite," while Latin American populism is more inclusive, emphasizing the inclusion of the poor and marginalized. The article also discusses the material, political, and symbolic dimensions of exclusion and inclusion, highlighting how these dimensions vary between the two regions. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of a clear conceptual framework and a cross-regional perspective in understanding the complex dynamics of populism.This article explores the relationship between populism and democracy in Europe and Latin America, focusing on the exclusionary and inclusionary aspects of populism. It argues that a minimal and ideological definition of populism allows for a cross-regional analysis, identifying two subtypes: exclusionary populism in Europe and inclusionary populism in Latin America. The study uses four prototypical cases—Jean-Marie Le Pen and the French National Front (FN) in Europe, and Evo Morales and the Movement for Socialism (MAS) in Latin America—to compare the inclusionary and exclusionary features of populism. The analysis reveals that European populism is predominantly exclusionary, focusing on protecting the interests of the "pure people" against the "corrupt elite," while Latin American populism is more inclusive, emphasizing the inclusion of the poor and marginalized. The article also discusses the material, political, and symbolic dimensions of exclusion and inclusion, highlighting how these dimensions vary between the two regions. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of a clear conceptual framework and a cross-regional perspective in understanding the complex dynamics of populism.