
Schrödinger’s Elite: How Populism Turns Power into Moral Performance
Populists rise to power by claiming outsider status against a corrupt elite. Yet many—from Erdogan and Modi to Trump—retain legitimacy ...

Prof. Llamazares: Authoritarianism Is Very Weak in Argentina, Whose Popular Culture Is Deeply Democratic
In this exclusive interview with the ECPS, Professor Ivan Llamazares of the University of Salamanca analyzes Argentina’s shifting political landscape ...

Professor Goldstone: The World’s Descent into Authoritarianism May Trigger a Revolutionary Movement
In this insightful interview, world-renowned revolution scholar Professor Jack A. Goldstone warns that we are witnessing both “a descent into ...

Dr. Papageorgiou: Russia & China ‘Play Both Sides’ on Social Media to Deepen Political Polarization
In an interview with the ECPS, Dr. Maria Papageorgiou, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Newcastle University, examines how digital platforms ...

Creative Destruction or Destructive Consolidation? Nobel Reflections on Growth Under Populism
This commentary examines the tension between authoritarian populism and innovation-driven growth, drawing on the insights of Nobel laureates Joel Mokyr, ...

Professor Cain: Trump Is Playing the Classical Authoritarian Game
In an in-depth interview with the ECPS, Bruce E. Cain—Professor of Political Science at Stanford University—analyzes how Donald Trump has ...

Dr. da Cruz: Brazilian Society Will No Longer Tolerate Attacks on Democracy
The conviction of Jair Bolsonaro and senior military officers for plotting a coup marks an unprecedented moment in Brazil’s democratic ...

From the Tea Party to MAGA – How White Christian Nationalism Is Taking Control of the US
In this commentary, Dr. João Ferreira Dias traces the rise of white Christian nationalism from Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” and Reagan’s ...

Discursive Violence and Moral Repair: The Promise and Limits of Non-Violent Communication Against Populism
DOWNLOAD ARTICLE Please cite as: Ozturk, Ibrahim & Fritsch, Claudia. (2025). “Discursive Violence and Moral Repair: The Promise and Limits ...

Professor Goldstone: The World’s Descent into Authoritarianism May Trigger a Revolutionary Movement
In this insightful interview, world-renowned revolution scholar Professor Jack A. Goldstone warns that we are witnessing both “a descent into ...

Dr. Papageorgiou: Russia & China ‘Play Both Sides’ on Social Media to Deepen Political Polarization
In an interview with the ECPS, Dr. Maria Papageorgiou, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Newcastle University, examines how digital platforms ...

Dr. Bishwakarma: Nepal’s Uprising Has Shaken Institutions, Not Transformed Them
In an interview with ECPS, Dr. Mom Bishwakarma reflects on Nepal’s September 2025 uprising, widely described as a Gen Z ...

Professor Paudel: The Youth Uprising in Nepal Is the Result of Long-Brewing Frustrations
In an interview with the ECPS, Professor Dinesh Paudel argues that the September 2025 youth uprising in Nepal was “the ...

Diversity, Rationality, and the Diffusion of Online Populism: A Study of Chinese Social Media Discussions
Please cite as: Su, Yu & Li, Tongtong. (2025). “Diversity, Rationality, and the Diffusion of Online Populism: A Study of ...

Professor Wodak: Autocracy Has Become a Global Economic Corporation Backed by Oligarchs and Social Media Power
In this powerful interview with ECPS, Professor Ruth Wodak warns that “autocracy has become a global economic corporation”—a transnational network ...

EP Rapporteur Ridel: EU Should Expand Sanctions Regime to Effectively Target Transnational Repression
In an exclusive interview with ECPS, MEP Chloé Ridel, rapporteur for the European Parliament’s forthcoming report on transnational repression, underscores ...

Can Mamdani’s Municipal Socialism Counter Democratic Backsliding?
In a period of deepening global democratic recession Zohran Mamdani’s ascent as mayor of New York City poses an important ...

Creative Destruction or Destructive Consolidation? Nobel Reflections on Growth Under Populism
This commentary examines the tension between authoritarian populism and innovation-driven growth, drawing on the insights of Nobel laureates Joel Mokyr, ...

Capitalist Disruptions and the Democratic Retreat: A US–EU–China Comparison
Please cite as: Ozturk, Ibrahim. (2025). “Capitalist Disruptions and the Democratic Retreat: A US–EU–China Comparison.” Journal of Populism Studies (JPS). ...

People versus Elites, Populist Logics in Indonesia’s 2025 Unrest
Indonesia is witnessing its largest wave of protests since Reformasi, sparked by the death of Affan Kurniawan during Jakarta’s labor ...

The Erdogan Regime and Its Future Amid Mass Protests: Prospects for Change?
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political journey reflects a dramatic transformation—from a reform-minded leader once hailed as a model for Muslim democracies ...

Dr. Boucher: Trump Is Not the Cause, but a Symptom
In this incisive ECPS interview, Dr. Jean-Christophe Boucher, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, explores how populism is reshaping ...

Professor Jones: Trump’s ‘Tariff Dictatorship’ Is Undermining the Global Trade Order
In an in-depth interview with ECPS, Professor Kent Jones warns that Donald Trump’s second-term trade strategy amounts to a “tariff ...

The Future Course of German and Japanese Capitalism in a Multipolar World under Trump 2.0
In his compelling analysis, Professor Ibrahim Ozturk explores how “Trumpism 2.0” and a multipolar world order are challenging the foundations ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 — Populism and Climate Change: Understanding What Is at Stake and Crafting Policy Suggestions for Stakeholders
The ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 brought together leading scholars to examine how populism and climate change intersect—a dynamic that now ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Prof. Robert Huber: Populist Narratives on Sustainability, Energy Resources and Climate Change
In his lecture at the ECPS Academy Summer School 2025, Professor Robert Huber examined how populist parties across Europe construct ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Prof. Stephan Lewandowsky: Climate Change, Populism, and Disinformation
The eighth lecture of the ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 was delivered online by Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, a globally recognized ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Prof. Philippe Le Billon: Climate Change, Natural Resources and Conflicts
Professor Philippe Le Billon’s lecture critically examined how climate-related conflicts emerge from three sources: the impacts of climate change itself, ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Prof. Eric Swyngedouw: The Climate Deadlock and The Unbearable Lightness of Climate Populism
In his compelling lecture, Professor Erik Swyngedouw offered a radical critique of contemporary climate discourse, describing it as trapped in ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Dr. Heidi Hart: Art Attacks – Museum Vandalism as a Populist Response to Climate Trauma?
Dr. Heidi Hart’s lecture illuminated the provocative intersection of art, activism, and climate trauma. Through an interdisciplinary lens, she explored why ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 –Prof. Daniel Fiorino: Ideology Meets Interest Group Politics – The Trump Administration and Climate Mitigation
The fourth lecture of the ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 featured Professor Daniel Fiorino, a leading expert on environmental policy ...

ECPS Academy Summer School 2025 – Prof. Sandra Ricart: Climate Change, Food, Farmers, and Populism
Professor Sandra Ricart delivered a timely and insightful lecture on the intersection of climate change, agriculture, and populism in Europe. ...

November 17th: The Rise of the Far-Right as a ‘Youth Trend’
In this powerful reflection for ECPS – Voice of Youth, high school student Emmanouela Papapavlou warns that the rise of ...

Virtual Workshop Series — Session 3: Populism, Freedom of Religion and Illiberal Regimes
Please cite as:ECPS Staff. (2025). “Virtual Workshop Series — Session 3: Populism, Freedom of Religion and Illiberal Regimes.” European Center ...

From the Tea Party to MAGA – How White Christian Nationalism Is Taking Control of the US
In this commentary, Dr. João Ferreira Dias traces the rise of white Christian nationalism from Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” and Reagan’s ...

Dr. DB Subedi Warns: Transitional Nepal May Face Real Dangers from Rising Religious Populism
“Transitional Nepal may face real dangers from rising religious populism,” cautions Dr. DB Subedi, lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies ...

Authoritarianism Curbed? Populism, Democracy and War in Israel
Please cite as: Ben-Porat, Guy & Filc, Dani. (2025). “Authoritarianism Curbed? Populism, Democracy and War in Israel.” Journal of Populism ...

Professor Bartov: Making Life Impossible in Gaza Is a Deliberate Strategy of Slow-Moving Genocide
In a powerful interview with ECPS, genocide scholar Omer Bartov argues that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to a ...

Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI): Conservative, Populist, or Extreme Right?
Please cite as:Varriale, Amedeo. (2025). “Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI): Conservative, Populist, or Extreme Right?” ECPS Party Profiles. European ...

Professor Modood: A ‘Multiculturalist International’ Needed to Counter ‘Far-Right International’
In this wide-ranging interview with ECPS, Professor Tariq Modood calls for the creation of a “multiculturalist international” to counter the ...

Prof. Klein: It Is Difficult to Label Japanese PM Takaichi a Populist, Despite Her Nationalism and Anti-Feminism
In this incisive interview for the ECPS, Professor Axel Klein offers a nuanced assessment of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ...

Dr. de Silva: Anti-Gender Narratives Are Highly Interlinked and Interconnected Across Borders
“Anti-gender discourses are very interlinked and interconnected; we see these floating narratives repeated across countries like Latvia, Poland, and Russia,” ...

Popular, Not Populist? Imran Khan and the Civil–Military Grammar of Populism in Pakistan
In this incisive commentary, feminist scholar Afiya S. Zia dissects the myth that Imran Khan is “popular, not populist.” Drawing ...

Queerness, Genocide, and International Law – A Look at Palestine
This commentary examines how queerness intersects with genocide and international law in the context of Palestine. Ass. Professor Izat El ...

“No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent”: Is Eleanor Roosevelt Right?
Can we truly choose not to feel inferior? In this thought-provoking commentary, Syed Yousha Haider critically examines Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous ...

Evaluations of Female Muslim Politicians in a Populist Era: Measuring Intersectionality Using Interaction Effects and Conjoint Experiments
AbstractHow do voters evaluate female Muslim politicians? The literature mainly approaches voter evaluations of underrepresented groups from a unitary perspective, ...

Violence Against Women: Towards a Policy Understanding of the Patriarchy
DOWNLOAD POLICY PAPER Please cite as: Hussain, Shilan Fuad. (2025). “Violence Against Women: Towards a Policy Understanding of the Patriarchy.” ...

Mapping European Populism – Panel 8: Populism, Gender and Sexuality in Europe
Please cite as: Guidotti, Andrea. (2024). Report on “Mapping European Populism – Panel 8: Populism, Gender and Sexuality in Europe.” ...

Dr. de Silva: Anti-Gender Narratives Are Highly Interlinked and Interconnected Across Borders
“Anti-gender discourses are very interlinked and interconnected; we see these floating narratives repeated across countries like Latvia, Poland, and Russia,” ...

Queerness, Genocide, and International Law – A Look at Palestine
This commentary examines how queerness intersects with genocide and international law in the context of Palestine. Ass. Professor Izat El ...

Professor Roth: Israel Exploits Antisemitism Allegations to Silence Criticism of Genocide in Gaza
In an exclusive ECPS interview, Professor Kenneth Roth—former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch and now at Princeton—warns that Israel ...

Virtual Workshop Series — Session 2: The ‘Nation’ or just an ‘Accidental Society’: Identity, Polarization, Rule of Law and Human Rights in 1989–2025 Poland
Please cite as: ECPS Staff. (2025). “Virtual Workshop Series — Session 2: The ‘Nation’ or just an ‘Accidental Society’: Identity, ...

Dr. Levene: Dysfunctional International System Enables Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
A new United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing mass killings, forced ...

Professor Barkey: Turkey Has Become a Full-Blown Authoritarian System
In an interview with the ECPS, Professor Henri Barkey—born in Turkey and one of the leading US experts on Middle ...

Human Rights Icon Aryeh Neier: Anti-Israel Speech Is Not Antisemitism
In an exclusive interview with the ECPS, Aryeh Neier — founding Executive Director of Human Rights Watch and former President ...

Prof. Finkelstein: Israel Will Mass Gazans at the Border, Bomb Relentlessly, and Force Egypt’s Hand
Professor Norman Finkelstein—NYC-born to Holocaust-survivor parents and, in 2020, ranked the world’s fifth most influential political scientist—tells ECPS that “Israel ...

Assoc. Prof. Cantir: Moldova’s Election a Victory for EU, Defeat for Kremlin
In an interview with ECPS, Dr. Cristian Cantir (Oakland University) described Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections as “a major win for ...

Dr. Levene: Dysfunctional International System Enables Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
A new United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing mass killings, forced ...

Capitalist Disruptions and the Democratic Retreat: A US–EU–China Comparison
Please cite as: Ozturk, Ibrahim. (2025). “Capitalist Disruptions and the Democratic Retreat: A US–EU–China Comparison.” Journal of Populism Studies (JPS). ...

Professor Fetzer: Populist Grievances Are More About Perception Than Reality
In an interview with the ECPS, Professor Thiemo Fetzer argues that populist grievances are largely shaped by perception rather than ...

Summer School 2024 — Brexit and ‘National Conservatism’
Lecturer: Dr. Craig Calhoun (Professor at Arizona State University). Moderator: Dr. Franco Zappettini (Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool). Professor Craig Calhoun examined Britain’s ...

Summer School 2024 — Populism, Constructive and Destructive
Lecturer: Dr. Louis Kreisberg (Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University). Moderator: Dr. Alexandra Homolar (Professor at the University of Warwick). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF7SvBoLvYs Dr. Louis Kriesberg is ...

Summer School 2024 — Populism, Hindu Nationalism and Foreign Policy in India
Lecturer: Dr. Thorsten Wojczewski (Lecturer at Coventry University). Moderator: Dr Ajay Gudavarthy (Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEj48mldc0Y Dr. ...

Summer School 2024 — EU’s External Relations: Do Populists Propel It, Or Does It Propel Populists?
Lecturer: Dr. Bertjan Verbeek (Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen Netherlands). Moderator: Dr. Ana E. Juncos Garcia (Professor at the University of Bristol). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jICdgIwD3I Dr. ...

Can Mamdani’s Municipal Socialism Counter Democratic Backsliding?
In a period of deepening global democratic recession Zohran Mamdani’s ascent as mayor of New York City poses an important ...

Assoc. Prof. Frantz: The Rise of Personalist Leaders Is Fueling Unpredictable Global Conflict
In an interview with the ECPS, Associate Professor Erica Frantz warns that the growing rise of personalist leaders worldwide is ...

Popular, Not Populist? Imran Khan and the Civil–Military Grammar of Populism in Pakistan
In this incisive commentary, feminist scholar Afiya S. Zia dissects the myth that Imran Khan is “popular, not populist.” Drawing ...

Professor Cain: Trump Is Playing the Classical Authoritarian Game
In an in-depth interview with the ECPS, Bruce E. Cain—Professor of Political Science at Stanford University—analyzes how Donald Trump has ...

Anwar Ibrahim’s Civilisational Populism: The Gaza War and Malaysia
Please cite as:Shukri, Syaza & Hassan, Isyraf. (2025). “Anwar Ibrahim’s Civilisational Populism: The Gaza War and Malaysia.” Journal of Populism ...

Prof. Bustikova: Babiš’s Victory in Czechia Is a Big Win for Illiberalism in Europe
On October 4, 2025, billionaire populist Andrej Babiš’s ANO party won the Czech parliamentary elections with just under 35% of ...

How Should Mainstream Parties Respond to Populism? The Internal Debates of Britain’s Labour Party under Starmer
When Keir Starmer denounced populism as a “snake oil charm” in July 2024, he became the first British Prime Minister ...

From Populism to Fascism? Intellectual Responsibilities in Times of Democratic Backsliding
The ECPS convened leading scholars to assess how populist movements are accelerating democratic decay and edging toward fascism. Moderated by ...

What Is the Ideology That Has Attained Social Hegemony? Let Us Call It Simply “Nativism”
In this thought-provoking commentary, Dr. João Ferreira Dias argues that the dominant ideology underpinning contemporary right-wing movements is not populism ...

Dr. Locoman: Moldova’s Win Is Real, But Russia Is Not Done Yet
Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections mark a pivotal moment in the geopolitical tug-of-war between the European Union and Russia. Despite unprecedented ...

Assoc. Prof. Cantir: Moldova’s Election a Victory for EU, Defeat for Kremlin
In an interview with ECPS, Dr. Cristian Cantir (Oakland University) described Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections as “a major win for ...

Dr. DB Subedi Warns: Transitional Nepal May Face Real Dangers from Rising Religious Populism
“Transitional Nepal may face real dangers from rising religious populism,” cautions Dr. DB Subedi, lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies ...

Prof. Finkelstein: Israel Will Mass Gazans at the Border, Bomb Relentlessly, and Force Egypt’s Hand
Professor Norman Finkelstein—NYC-born to Holocaust-survivor parents and, in 2020, ranked the world’s fifth most influential political scientist—tells ECPS that “Israel ...

Harvested in Silence: The Silent Surgery War on Migrant Bodies
While the global community often articulates refugee detention as a banner of humanitarian concern, escalating evidence from Libya and North ...

Locked Out, Building In: Refugees in Greece Persevere Amidst Exclusion
Greece has become a critical gateway for asylum-seekers, yet increasingly restrictive migration policies, harsh detention conditions, and reduced aid leave ...

Professor Modood: A ‘Multiculturalist International’ Needed to Counter ‘Far-Right International’
In this wide-ranging interview with ECPS, Professor Tariq Modood calls for the creation of a “multiculturalist international” to counter the ...

November 17th: The Rise of the Far-Right as a ‘Youth Trend’
In this powerful reflection for ECPS – Voice of Youth, high school student Emmanouela Papapavlou warns that the rise of ...

How Should Mainstream Parties Respond to Populism? The Internal Debates of Britain’s Labour Party under Starmer
When Keir Starmer denounced populism as a “snake oil charm” in July 2024, he became the first British Prime Minister ...

Between Security and Suffering: The Human Cost of Europe’s Defense Resurgence
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reshapes Europe’s security landscape, the EU faces a “watershed moment” demanding unprecedented defense spending and ...

Harvested in Silence: The Silent Surgery War on Migrant Bodies
While the global community often articulates refugee detention as a banner of humanitarian concern, escalating evidence from Libya and North ...

Locked Out, Building In: Refugees in Greece Persevere Amidst Exclusion
Greece has become a critical gateway for asylum-seekers, yet increasingly restrictive migration policies, harsh detention conditions, and reduced aid leave ...

The Psychological Toll of Graphic Content in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
As massacre and starvation content floods social media in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack, a new generation of ...

ECPS Academy Summer School — Populism and Climate Change: Understanding What Is at Stake and Crafting Policy Suggestions for Stakeholders (July 7-11, 2025)
Case Competition Information Pack Are you interested in global political affairs? Do you wish to learn how to draft policy ...

Summer School 2024 — Populism, Hindu Nationalism and Foreign Policy in India
Lecturer: Dr. Thorsten Wojczewski (Lecturer at Coventry University). Moderator: Dr Ajay Gudavarthy (Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEj48mldc0Y Dr. ...
November 17th: The Rise of the Far-Right as a ‘Youth Trend’