BU Research Blog

In light of the widespread use of populism by politicians across the world, BU academics Anastasia Veneti and Savvas Voutyras were interviewed by  the Greek newspaper I Epohi on their research on political campaigning and populism.

In the interview, the researchers explained that there is no single definition of populism. However, there is general consensus that populism comprises a view of politics as a fundamental antagonism between ‘the people’ and ‘the elites’, favouring the interests of the people.

Dr Voutyras argued that, in practice, it is anti-populists who define opponents as populists, regardless of whether they fit any definition. This initially seems to have some strategic advantages, since it categorises opponents as a singular problem and, in this sense, rallies supporters. In the long run, however, this tactic has facilitated the growth of the radical right. Parties that used to be labelled as neo-fascist, racist or authoritarian, have acquired new a label (i.e., ‘populist’) that is easier to manage.

Dr Veneti explained that there is a strand of studies that approach populism as a communication style. In such cases, the main dimensions of populist political actors’ communication are (a) people-centrism, (b) anti-elitism, (c) and reference to outgroups, and we can see these dimensions built in the political message both discursively and visually.

The whole interview can be found here.