Populism

List of Populism articles

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands behind a podium in front of a sign that says "CPAC Hungary" during a conference session in Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands behind a podium in front of a sign that says "CPAC Hungary" during a conference session in Budapest.

Hungary’s Plan to Build an Army of U.S. Intellectuals

Viktor Orban has put billions of dollars behind a soft-power strategy focused on attracting conservative American thinkers.

Herbert Kickl, leader of the right-wing Austria Freedom Party, speaks at a rally of people protesting against coronavirus-related restrictions and a coming vaccination mandate in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2022.
Herbert Kickl, leader of the right-wing Austria Freedom Party, speaks at a rally of people protesting against coronavirus-related restrictions and a coming vaccination mandate in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2022.

Austria’s Far Right Is Back on Top

Four years after a major scandal ousted it from government, the party is leading national polls again.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon her arrival at Chigi Palace in Rome on January 9, 2023.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon her arrival at Chigi Palace in Rome on January 9, 2023.

Russia’s War Has Unified Europe’s Opposing Sides

The invasion of Ukraine has finally reconciled Europe’s liberals and nationalists.

A man walks past a torn AfD banner.
A man walks past a torn AfD banner.

Germany’s Far-Right ‘Firewall’ Is Starting to Crack

At the national level, parties insist they won’t work or vote with the far-right AfD—but at the local level, it happens all the time.

Giorgia Meloni (C) attends the commemoration of the National Memorial Day of the Exiles and the Foibe on Feb. 10, 2020 in Basovizza, Italy.
Giorgia Meloni (C) attends the commemoration of the National Memorial Day of the Exiles and the Foibe on Feb. 10, 2020 in Basovizza, Italy.

Why Giorgia Meloni Won’t Distance Herself from Italy’s Fascist Past

The Italian prime minister is proudly defending her party’s extremist predecessor by falsely claiming they were never fascists.

Itamar Ben-Gvir (C), member of Israel's Knesset (parliament) and head of the far right "Jewish Power" (Otzma Yehudit) party, takes part in a  protest outside the District court in Jerusalem on Feb. 27 in support of the officer accused of shooting Iyad Hallak, a disabled Palestinian man who was shot dead by Israeli police in May 2020.
Itamar Ben-Gvir (C), member of Israel's Knesset (parliament) and head of the far right "Jewish Power" (Otzma Yehudit) party, takes part in a protest outside the District court in Jerusalem on Feb. 27 in support of the officer accused of shooting Iyad Hallak, a disabled Palestinian man who was shot dead by Israeli police in May 2020.

Is Israel’s Political Virtuoso in Denial?

Benjamin Netanyahu ignores mounting criticism of his closest running mates’ agendas at his own peril.

An Israeli man walks past an electoral billboard bearing portraits of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flanked by far-right politicians Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich and Michael Ben Ari, with a caption in Hebrew reading "Kahane Lives" in a reference to a banned ultranationalist party in Jerusalem, on March 29, 2019.
An Israeli man walks past an electoral billboard bearing portraits of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flanked by far-right politicians Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich and Michael Ben Ari, with a caption in Hebrew reading "Kahane Lives" in a reference to a banned ultranationalist party in Jerusalem, on March 29, 2019.

What Makes Israel’s Far Right Different

The Religious Zionist Party’s rise isn’t about immigration, crime, or populist economics—it’s driven by Jewish supremacy and anti-Arab racism.

Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano.
Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano.

How Many Shocks Can the World Take?

We’re seeing what occurs when everything happens everywhere all at once.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at Fiumicino airport in Rome on July 5, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at Fiumicino airport in Rome on July 5, 2019.

Why Russia Is the Big Winner in Italy’s Election

Even if Giorgia Meloni says she’s sympathetic to Ukraine, the Italian right remains firmly in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s camp.

League leader Matteo Salvini (L), Fratelli d'Italia leader Giorgia Meloni (C), and Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi (R)at the end of a meeting in Rome on Oct. 20, 2021.
League leader Matteo Salvini (L), Fratelli d'Italia leader Giorgia Meloni (C), and Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi (R)at the end of a meeting in Rome on Oct. 20, 2021.

How Giorgia Meloni Took Over the Italian Right

The likely next prime minister maintained ideological purity while her fellow right-wingers compromised. Now, she’s ready to reap the rewards.

Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party, speaks to the press after a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on April 4, 2018.
Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party, speaks to the press after a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on April 4, 2018.

Populists at the Gates

With Mario Draghi on his way out, Europe braces for the most radical right-wing government in Italy’s republican history.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan  aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.

Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?

The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?

A protester stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign on May 1, 2021 in Paris, France.
A protester stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign on May 1, 2021 in Paris, France.

Inequality Doesn’t Breed Populism. Social Immobility Does.

The left keeps losing because it has failed to promote equal opportunity rather than equal outcomes.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives a speech marking Hungary's Revolution and Independence Day on March 15, 2022 in front of the parliament building of Budapest.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives a speech marking Hungary's Revolution and Independence Day on March 15, 2022 in front of the parliament building of Budapest.

The Secrets to Viktor Orban’s Success

Hungary’s prime minister will likely win a fourth consecutive election with an original political formula.

Occupy Wall Street protesters march down Fifth Avenue on May 1, 2012 in New
Occupy Wall Street protesters march down Fifth Avenue on May 1, 2012 in New

Does Inequality Provoke Populism?

A new book argues that economic unfairness is more important than unequal incomes—but only redistributive policies can restore social mobility.

Gabriel Boric celebrates with supporters at the end of the Presidential Elections on November 21, 2021 in Santiago, Chile.
Gabriel Boric celebrates with supporters at the end of the Presidential Elections on November 21, 2021 in Santiago, Chile.

Latin America’s Leftists Aren’t Who You Think

The region’s left has won a series of elections—but U.S. interests aren’t under threat.

Boris Johnson waves after speaking to conference on the third day of the Conservative party conference on October 6, 2015 in Manchester, England.
Boris Johnson waves after speaking to conference on the third day of the Conservative party conference on October 6, 2015 in Manchester, England.

Will Britain’s Conservatives Be in Power Permanently?

A new book argues that Boris Johnson’s government is already losing its grip. Here’s why that’s wishful thinking.

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