Populism and the Politicization of the COVID-19 Crisis in Europe

by Giuliano Bobba (Editor), Nicolas Hubé (Editor) This edited book provides a first overview of how populist parties responded to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in Europe. Although populism would normally benefit from crisis situations (e.g., political representation or economic crises), the peculiar nature of this health crisis does not make the benefit obvious. For it to be exploited, a crisis must be politicized. While populists have tried to take advantage of the crisis situation, the impossibility of taking ownership of the COVID-19 issue has made the crisis hard to be exploited. In particular, populists in power have tried to depoliticize the pandemic, whereas radical right-populists in opposition tried to politicize the crisis, though failing to gain the relevant public support. This book considers populist parties in eight European democracies, providing a framework of analysis for their responses to the COVID-19 crisis. It does so by engaging with the literature on crisis and populism from a theoretical perspective and through the lens of the politicization process. Product Details Publisher:Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2021 edition (March 3, 2021) Language:English Hardcover:160 pages ISBN-10:3030660109 ISBN-13:978-3030660109 ISBN-13:9783030660109 eText ISBN: 9783030660116 Item Weight:12.3 ounces Dimensions:5.83 x 0.44 x 8.27 inches