Right‐wing populism as a social representation: A comparison across four European countries

• DOI: 10.1002/casp.2369
• Publication Date: 2018-11-08T13:43:20Z
• Authors: Christian Staerklé; Eva G.T. Green
• Keywords: Populism; Right-Wing; Distrust; Elite; Representation; Left-wing politics

Abstract The rise of right‐wing populist parties has been widely discussed across the social sciences during last decade. Taking a representational approach, we analyse organising principles and anchoring thinking four European countries (France, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom). Using Social Survey data (Round 7), compare political attitudes self‐appraisals citizens identifying with populist, conservative right‐wing, traditional left‐wing parties. findings converge to show that identifiers diverge from both left‐ on vertical (between “people” “elite”) horizontal nationals immigrants) dimensions differentiation. Depending context, identification was fuelled by material physical insecurity, low efficacy, distrust fellow citizens. We conclude populism requires multiple strategies differentiation within between groups justify sustain itself.