Date of Thesis

Spring 2024

Description

This thesis investigates the underlying causes of the global rise in right-wing populism support in the twenty-first century. I will examine both the origins of these shifts in public opinion and their consequences for political systems and global interactions. My analyses will take two forms: (1) a cross-national analysis of the rise in right-wing populism in 34 of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to explore the demographic factors that exhibit a relationship with populist attitudes and (2) case studies of right-wing populism in the contemporary United States (with particular attention to former president Donald Trump and his supporters) and contemporary France (with particular attention to Éric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen, respectively, and their supporters) to understand specific examples of the causes and manifestations in countries strongly impacted by the effects of globalization. Understanding this phenomenon through its roots and dynamics can provide a crucial view into mitigating its adverse effects on countries and their political systems, particularly towards movements aiming to undermine democracies, by directing more effective campaigns and policies, illuminating the future of politics, and understanding what interactions in international organizations, and borders may look like as globalization develops.

Keywords

right-wing populism, 21st century, globalization, modernization, radical-right, anti-democratic

Access Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Political Science

Second Major

Economics

Minor, Emphasis, or Concentration

French & Francophone Studies

First Advisor

Christina Xydias

Second Advisor

Soundarya Chidambaram

Third Advisor

Mehmet Dosemeci

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