The Populist Wave: Unpacking the Global Drivers of 21st Century Right-Wing Populist Support
Author:
Ellie Fallon ’24
Co-Authors:
Faculty Mentor(s):
Dr. Christina Xydias, Political Science
Funding Source:
N/A
Abstract
This thesis investigates the underlying causes of the global rise in right-wing populism support in the 21st century. I will examine both the origins of these shifts in public opinion and their consequences for political systems and global interactions. My analyses will take two forms: (1) a cross-national analysis of the rise in right-wing populism in 34 of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to explore the demographic factors that exhibit a relationship with populist attitudes and (2) case studies of right-wing populism in the contemporary United States (with particular attention to former president Donald Trump and his supporters) and contemporary France (with particular attention to Éric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen, respectively, and their supporters) to understand specific examples of the causes and manifestations in countries strongly impacted by the effects of globalization. Understanding this phenomenon through its roots and dynamics can provide a crucial view into mitigating its adverse effects on countries and their political systems, particularly towards movements aiming to undermine democracies, by directing more effective campaigns and policies, illuminating the future of politics, and understanding what interactions in international organizations, and borders may look like as globalization develops.