Ideological Extremes and Populist Attitudes

• In Event: Poster Session: Comparative Politics

Abstract

In contemporary political discourse, the link between ideological positioning and populist sentiments has sparked significant interest and debate. This study delves into the intricate relationship between ideological extremism and populist attitudes, employing a robust empirical approach that harnesses cross-national data. Our research primarily investigates whether the association between ideological extremism, encompassing both the left and right wings of the political spectrum, and populist attitudes is linear. To this end, we utilize a non-parametric model, a methodological choice informed by its suitability for capturing complex, non-linear relationships in our data set.

Our findings offer a nuanced understanding of this relationship. We uncover a non-linear pattern where both left and right-wing extremists exhibit stronger populist tendencies than their moderate counterparts. This insight challenges the traditional narrative that views populism as a phenomenon primarily associated with either the extreme right or left, suggesting instead a more symmetric distribution across the ideological spectrum.

Furthermore, this study is pioneering in its scope and empirical analysis. It represents the first comprehensive test of the theorized relationship between ideological extremism and populism using a non-parametric model across multiple countries. We utilize the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES) data, examining the latest election data from 55 countries. Findings from the data present the consistency of our results across diverse national contexts.

Our analysis confirms the established theoretical perspective, asserting that the extremities of the ideological spectrum are more inclined towards populist attitudes than the political center. This confirmation is significant as it reinforces existing theoretical frameworks with comprehensive empirical evidence, a step that has been largely absent in cross-national studies. Our findings have profound implications for understanding the global populist surge, suggesting that populist sentiments are not the sole preserve of any one ideological extreme but are instead a common feature at both ends of the ideological spectrum.

Authors

• Yujin Julia Jung, Mount St. Mary's University

• Eduardo Ryo Tamaki, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)