Right-wing populism

political ideology featuring anti-elitist, anti-Establishment rhetoric, neo-nationalism, social conservatism, economic nationalism and fiscal conservatism, and aiming to defend a national culture, identity, and economy against by outsiders

Right-wing populism is a political ideology that uses populist rhetoric and themes to promote right-wing politics. According to the definition of Dutch political scientist Cas Mudde, populism is a political ideology that divides society into two antagonistic entities: the people and the elites. From the right-wing perspective, political elites and the State are intrinsically corrupt and bureaucratic, therefore there is a rhetoric that appeals to individuals who identify with "anti-State" policies and the view that individuals with different political views are adversaries (commonly associating the later with globalism or the far-left).[1]

Left to right, top to bottom:
Former president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro and former president of USA Donald Trump in 2019; President of Argentina Javier Milei and his VP Victoria Villarruel at their inauguration in 2023; President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele in 2019; Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni speaking at CPAC in 2022. All exemples of right-wing populists.

Much like left-wing populism, right-wing populism employs sentiments against elitism, opposition to the Establishment, and a discourse that seeks the sympathy of "ordinary people". However, right-wing populists generally focus on cultural issues, often claiming to defend traditional values and national identity against progressivism and multiculturalism while left-wing populists more often employ economic arguments and attack neoliberalism and the role of large corporations in society.[1]

Faced with contemporary dilemmas such as climate change and the struggle against pandemics, many right-wing populists remain anti-environmentalism[2] and against measures such as lockdowns and mandatory vaccination.[3] Crime is also a recurring issue among them, with their defense of law and order usually being punitivist.

Notable right-wing populists include Jair Bolsonaro,[4] Tucker Carlson,[5] Marine Le Pen,[6] Conor McGregor, Javier Milei,[7] Viktor Orbán,[8] Vladimir Putin, Andrew Tate,[9] and Donald Trump.[10]

In the United States, right-wing populism has become notable since the Tea Party movement formed during the Great Recession.[11] It was adopted by Donald Trump to win the 2016 United States presidential election, and is currently being used to win the 2024 United States presidential election.[12]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Akkerman, Agnes (2003) "Populism and Democracy: Challenge or Pathology?" Acta Politica n.38, pp.147–159
  2. Bierbach, Mara (26 February 2019). "Climate protection: Where do the EU's right-wing populists stand?". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  3. Gruber, Mirjam; Isetti, Giulia; Ghirardello, Linda; Walder, Maximilian (5 July 2023). «Populism in Times of a Pandemic: A Cross-Country Critical Discourse Analysis of Right-Wing and Left-Wing Populist Parties in Europe». Populism (2): 147–171. Retrieved 9 April 2024
  4. "Brazil's election: The rise and impact of populism". University of Michigan News. 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  5. "How Tucker Carlson rode a wave of populist outrage". 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  6. "Marine Le Pen's Populist Image Is an Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove". jacobin.com. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  7. "After electing right-wing populist Milei as president, Argentina faces uncharted path". PBS NewsHour. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  8. Becker, Jens (2010). "The rise of right-wing populism in Hungary". SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe. 13 (1): 29–40. doi:10.5771/1435-2869-2010-1-29. ISSN 1435-2869. JSTOR 43293344.
  9. "Andrew Tate, Conservatism, and the "Death" of Masculinity". Davis Political Review. 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  10. Winberg, Oscar (2017-07-31). "Insult Politics: Donald Trump, Right-Wing Populism, and Incendiary Language". European Journal of American Studies (in French). 12 (2). doi:10.4000/ejas.12132. ISSN 1991-9336.
  11. "Understanding the Tea Party Movement | School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts". ssha.ucmerced.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  12. Kampfner, John (2024-01-01). "Right-Wing Populism Is Set to Sweep the West in 2024". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2023-12-29.