Este article seeks to show the relationship between populism and antagonism in the latest work by Ernesto Laclau, On Populist Reason. It is here that Laclau develops a peculiar conception of populism as a political logic, rather than as an escorting manoeuvre, as is commonly understood. Untied to any particular ideology, populism is a form of affirmation of unsatisfied popular demands. We argue that it is possible to mobilise fundamental rights to point to the shortcomings of effectiveness who are responsible for ignoring those popular demands. While populism may acquire oppressive shades, we maintain that political construction of the people geared towards the realisation of fundamental rights can strengthen democracy.