DE VRIES Catherine - Rise of Populism, Political Polarization and Fragmentation across Europe (8h)
Professor Catherine DE VRIES
Academic Assistant Sara Maria BARBAGLIA
The rise of populist parties in Europe has been one of the most striking political developments in recent decades. What explains their success, and what are the implications for the stability of European politics and societies more broadly? This course explores these questions by engaging with core debates on populism within the comparative European context. It is organized into three main blocks. The first introduces the concept of populism, assessing both its relevance and its limits, and discusses through the use of practical examples how populist parties differ from mainstream parties in their communication, rhetoric and behaviour. The second focuses on the causes for the increased success of populist parties, by focussing on economic insecurity, cultural anxiety, and geography as leading explanations of populist support. The third investigates the consequences of the rise of populism, focussing on government stability, political fragmentation and societal polarization. By engaging with cutting-edge research from different European countries, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of populist success and critically assess the contested role of populism in the European Union.