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The Noisy Counter-Revolution: Understanding the Cultural Conditions and Dynamics of Populist Politics in Europe in the Digital Age

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  • Lars Rensmann

    (Centre for International Relations and Department of European Languages and Cultures, University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The article argues for a cultural turn in the study of populist politics in Europe. Integrating insights from three fields—political sociology, political psychology, and media studies—a new, multi-disciplinary framework is proposed to theorize particular cultural conditions favorable to the electoral success of populist parties. Through this lens, the fourth wave of populism should be viewed as a “noisy”, anti-cosmopolitan counter-revolution in defense of traditional cultural identity. Reflective of a deep-seated, value-based great divide in European democracies that largely trumps economic cleavages, populist parties first and foremost politically mobilize long lingering cultural discontent and successfully express a backlash against cultural change. While the populist counter-revolution is engendered by profoundly transformed communicative conditions in the age of social media, its emotional force can best be theorized with the political psychology of authoritarianism: as a new type of authoritarian cultural revolt.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Rensmann, 2017. "The Noisy Counter-Revolution: Understanding the Cultural Conditions and Dynamics of Populist Politics in Europe in the Digital Age," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 123-135.
  • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:5:y:2017:i:4:p:123-135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benjamin Moffitt & Simon Tormey, 2014. "Rethinking Populism: Politics, Mediatisation and Political Style," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 62(2), pages 381-397, June.
    2. Inglehart, Ronald F. & Norris, Pippa, 2016. "Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash," Working Paper Series 16-026, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    3. Alexander, Amy C. & Welzel, Christian, 2017. "The Myth of Deconsolidation: Rising Liberalism and the Populist Reaction," ILE Working Paper Series 10, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Michał Goliński, 2019. "E-administracja jako infrastruktura cyfrowego autorytaryzmu," Collegium of Economic Analysis Annals, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis, issue 56, pages 75-89.
    3. Benedict E. DeDominicis, 2022. "American Regime Institutionalization, Segregation, Integration And Assimilation: The Social Identity Dynamics Of Utilitarian Cooptation," Review of Business and Finance Studies, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 13(1), pages 1-30.
    4. Luigi Droste, 2021. "Feeling Left Behind by Political Decisionmakers: Anti-Establishment Sentiment in Contemporary Democracies," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 288-300.

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