Kostiantyn Yanchenko
Narrative approaches are currently experiencing a golden age in many domains of political science. And yet, when it comes to populism studies, scholars are still rather reluctant to adopt a narrative perspective. Kostiantyn Yanchenko explains why studying populist storytelling can be beneficial for the discipline Read more
Ivo Kesler
Ivo Kesler argues that the emergence of the far-right populist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) reflects the contested legacy of legionarism and fascism in Romania. AUR is growing in popularity, and with parliamentary elections coming in 2024, the party constitutes a real threat to the mainstream Read more
Michael Bauer
Populists have risen to executive office worldwide. In this context, Michael W. Bauer argues, we must pay more systematic attention to threats to the state and its institutions; the potential long-term impacts of the damage that populist governments can inflict 'from within' are potentially devastating Read more
Adrian Favero
Adrian Favero explores the claim that populist leaders are generally charismatic and invaluable for the functioning of 'their' parties. 'Charismatic leadership', he says, is not well conceptualised, nor are leaders unreservedly seen as charismatic by their followers despite being helpful for populist parties’ success Read more
Paul D. Kenny
Scholars and pundits – few of whom are populist supporters themselves – like nothing more than to point out the seeming foolishness of populism. However, Paul Kenny argues, there is also frequently a rational explanation behind their choices. Populist voters may be a lot of things, but they are not irrational Read more
Nils Steiner
One way globalisation influences politics is by making new social categories ripe for politicisation. Nils Steiner, Matthias Mader and Harald Schoen examine the case of 'winners' and 'losers' of globalisation and show that significant proportions of citizens see themselves as part of these groups, showing distinct party preferences as a result Read more
Anca Turcu
Populists thrive on being perceived as outsiders. This creates an incentive for mainstream governing populist parties to portray themselves as challengers to the establishment. Anca Turcu examines the tactics Hungary’s and Turkey’s governing populists employ to survive mainstreaming Read more
Massimo D'Angelo
International media have always depicted Silvio Berlusconi in stereotypical ways, shaped by his outlandish behaviour and sex scandals. Massimo D’Angelo explains why the Berlusconi legacy goes beyond these stereotypes, and how it can still act as a beacon for many right-wing populist leaders around the world Read more
