‘Hate the Corrupt Ruling Class’: The Populist Influence Network and Polarization

• In Event: Understanding the Drivers of Polarization

Abstract

How do the rising trends of populism and polarization relate to one another, and what does this mean for democracy? While scholars and journalists often assume that populism increases affective polarization to the detriment of democracy, this characterization misses important distinctions between different types of polarization, including spatial polarization, affective polarization, affective populist leader polarization, and anti-establishment populist polarization. Examining these different lines of polarization also allows me to isolate the impacts each type might have on democracy.

To explore this question, I analyze the independent podcast and YouTube show Breaking Points, which features self-described left and right populist cohosts. Like others within the “Alternative Influence Network” (Munger and Phillips 2020), the show defies typical ideological categorization, defining itself in opposition to mainstream media, corporate parties, and superficial “identity politics.” They also exploit the ‘parasocial’ features of digital media to cultivate a feeling of close personal relationship with highly participatory audiences.

I also draw on interviews with left and right populist supporters of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders to examine the under-emphasized “demand” side of the increase in alternative media consumption. I find that across left and right, populist supporters articulate a similar set of frustrations with mainstream media, including concerns about content they perceive as frivolous and partisan. I conclude that populism’s impact on polarization and democracy is more complicated than commonly assumed. Ultimately, populism depolarizes some aspects of the existing partisan cleavage, while newly polarizing along the populist anti-establishment dimension. At the same time, the polarizing impacts of populist elites and media can be seen instead as a response to a demand from citizens with populist attitudes that are out of step with existing political elites.

Author

• Rachel Meade, Boston University