Populism enters the field of International Relations

Populism and World Politics: Exploring Inter- and Transnational Dimensions is a new addition to the literature of populism, but also international relations. The editors, Frank Stengel, David B. MacDonald, and Dirk Nabers, deserve appreciation for their bold and timely attempt, not just to explain the term ‘populism’ but also to try and understand its use in a hitherto less explored area: International Relations. The editors have done a wonderful job of including examples from diverse regions of the world, accounting for the differing use of the word populism in a myriad of contexts, and helping untangle the enigma surrounding the usage of the term ‘populism’. This work uniquely distinguishes itself from the plethora of recently churned out accounts on populism in having an account of populism from international perspectives specifically trying to understand the reasons for the emergence of movements like the Arab Spring, Occupy or DIEM 25 which defy national boundaries in different ways. 

This is arguably the first work of its kind in being an attempt to explore the inter- and trans-national dimensions of populism and world politics. It broadens its appeal by keeping the canvas of its exploration quite wide – from examining populist trends in countries like New Zealand, Canada, India, Spain and the United States – while applying a multiplicity of approaches from empiricism to theories of anthropology and sociology, to help explain the growing rise of populism in different regions of the world. 

Meticulously divided into three parts, this volume carries twelve academically enriched chapters besides an excellent Introduction and a crisp Conclusion. The introduction of the volume very nicely sets the tone of the work by giving a theoretical account of the importance of understanding populism’s inter- and trans-national aspects in a more systematic manner. It particularly highlights the increasingly more observable characteristics of international politics, of late, in terms of ‘the denationalisation of political rule’ complemented with the ‘politicisation of international authority’ and ‘cross border interaction between populists’ (p.7). Moreover, the success and the failure of populist parties and movements, as we see, are more often contingent upon transnational interactions. 

The first part of the book, titled ‘Theoretical Issues in Global Populism Research’, which contains three chapters, highlights the need to study populism beyond the confines of national borders. It draws on the connection between populism and global media to underline the significance of looking at populism as a ‘transnational communication logic’ that operates in a range of distinct communicational arenas, such as social media, tabloids but also established broadcasters. 

The second part of the volume, titled ‘Populism and Foreign Policy’, carries six different chapters, each explaining the tactics of populist leaders of different countries. Of critical interest in this part is the chapter by Brian Budd wherein the author, by exploring the failed populist attempt of Canadian Conservative MP Kellie Leitch, explains how the form of populism which remained successful in the United States failed to find takers in Canada because, ‘… the diffusion of populism from one country to the next is contingent on distinct political culture’. Cases from Latin America, New Zealand and India are incisively discussed in successive chapters to further buttress the points. 

Entitled ‘Populism and International Politics’, the third part of the book, consisting of three chapters, emphasises the global and international dimension of the rise of populism. Robert G. Patman in his chapter proffers the idea that the rise of populism has, in fact, resulted in intensifying the spirit of liberal order to address its shortcomings like the rising civil conflicts or environmental decline or increasing inequality. Shane Markowitz posits the idea that the rise of populism owes a lot to the ‘socio-material phenomenon’ and not just the employment of rhetoric by populist leaders. Building his argument on the rancorous issue of ‘genetically modified organisms’ in the European Union, he shows how material, natural and technological forces play their part in sustaining the issues. The chapter by Amy Skonieczny brings forth the critical role of emotions in populist discourse by deeply analyzing the debate surrounding the issue of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the surge in populist anti-trade narratives. 

Finally, the Conclusion, through a combined take by the editors Frank Stengel, David B. MacDonald and Dirk Nabers, succinctly summarises the entire argument of the book by outlining a three point agenda for studying the connection between populism and world politics, which includes analysing specific ideologies and foreign policy positions of the populists, taking account of their respective domestic opportunity structures and, of course, the nature of the prevailing international context. As a line of suggestion for those willing to pursue research on populism and international relations, the editors of this volume propose exploring issues, such as the organisation by the populist leaders in transnational networks, foreign powers’ involvement in domestic elections and the common intellectual roots of the populists. 

Overall, Populism and World Politics: Exploring Inter- and Transnational Dimensions is a very well-timed and extremely welcome addition to the literature of International Relations and Populism studies that can help us understand the relationship between the two. This volume fills a vital gap in existing literature related to populism.