Varieties of Populism in Europe in Times of Crises

Populism is on the rise across the political spectrum, with this volume exploring how it has emerged and consolidated in Europe over the past 30 years. It investigates the role of the Great Recession, political and party system factors, structural social changes, and cultural opportunities in the growing strength of populist parties. The book aims to promote critical discussion on the concept of populism, clarify its articulation in different European countries, and investigate the connections between populism and national contextual political and cultural specificities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Populism is experiencing a surge across the political spectrum, taking hold in national parliaments, forming governmental coalitions with mainstream parties, and even challenging the established political status quo. This comprehensive volume delves into the topic from diverse methodological and theoretical perspectives, providing evidence from a range of cases across Europe over the past 30 years. Comprising eight chapters, the volume explores the impact of various crises on populist parties within the European Union, examining the interplay between factors such as the Great Recession, political and party system dynamics, structural social changes, and cultural opportunities in the growing strength of populist movements across different European countries.

The primary objectives of the volume are to:
1. Foster critical discourse on the concept of populism, expanding its applicability beyond traditional party families to which it is often associated.
2. Provide a preliminary theoretical clarification to shed new light on the diverse ways in which populism has manifested itself in European countries since the economic crisis, which has acted as an external shock to many party systems, either giving rise to new political actors or consolidating existing ones.
3. Investigate the connections between populism and the national contextual political and cultural specificities that shape the development of different types of populisms across countries, delving into various "configurations of triggering conditions."

The chapters in the volume address these objectives through a combination of empirical analysis, theoretical frameworks, and case studies, offering a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and complexities of populism in Europe. By examining the experiences of different countries and parties, the volume seeks to contribute to the ongoing debate about the nature, origins, and consequences of populism in contemporary politics.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367743468