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Quality of Life and Populist Radical Right Attitudes: Evidence from Italy

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  • Mirko Crulli

    (Luiss University)

  • Gabriele Pinto

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

Fitting into the literature on the geography of the populist radical right (PRR), we investigate how places’ quality of life (QOL) correlates with PRR attitudes and voting behaviour in Italy. We built a dataset by merging the QOL measure from the 24 ORE Group with the 2022 ITANES (Italian National Election Studies) survey. Using this merged dataset, our multilevel regression models reveal that (1) both lower and declining QOL are substantively associated with stronger nativist sentiments. (2) The correlations between QOL and other PRR attitudes (populism and authoritarianism) are less consistent. (3) QOL is not statistically significantly related to propensity to vote for the main Italian PRR party, Fratelli d’Italia. Hence, this paper suggests that scapegoating immigrants may stem from both poor and deteriorating QOL in one’s residential area, irrespective of various individual- and contextual-level factors. The study concludes by discussing its broader implications, limitations, and directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirko Crulli & Gabriele Pinto, 2025. "Quality of Life and Populist Radical Right Attitudes: Evidence from Italy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 178(1), pages 539-557, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:178:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-025-03602-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-025-03602-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Chiaramonte & Vincenzo Emanuele & Nicola Maggini & Aldo Paparo, 2022. "Radical-Right Surge in a Deinstitutionalised Party System: The 2022 Italian General Election," South European Society and Politics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 329-357, July.
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    3. Ian R Gordon, 2018. "In what sense left behind by globalisation? Looking for a less reductionist geography of the populist surge in Europe," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 11(1), pages 95-113.
    4. Sebastien Bourdin & André Torre, 2023. "Geography of contestation: A study on the Yellow Vest movement and the rise of populism in France," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 214-235, January.
    5. Maxwell, Rahsaan, 2019. "Cosmopolitan Immigration Attitudes in Large European Cities: Contextual or Compositional Effects?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 113(2), pages 456-474, May.
    6. Arzheimer, Kai & Berning, Carl & de Lange, Sarah & Dutozia, Jerome & Evans, Jocelyn & Gould, Myles & Harteveld, Eelco & Hood, Nick & Ivaldi, Gilles & Norman, Paul & van der Brug, Wouter & van der Meer, 2024. "How Local Context Affects Populist Radical Right Support: A Cross-National Investigation Into Mediated and Moderated Relationships," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(4), pages 1133-1158, October.
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    8. Leonardo Puleo & Gianluca Piccolino, 2022. "Back to the Post-Fascist Past or Landing in the Populist Radical Right? The Brothers of Italy Between Continuity and Change," South European Society and Politics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 359-383, July.
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