Populism and science

Abstract

Populism is the object of a burgeoning literature. Yet, so far, only a few studies have considered the complex relationship between populism and science. On the one side, scientific knowledge has been the target of populist criticisms that valorize instead experiential wisdom and common sense, the “low”, which is also performed by political leaders who dress, speak and behave in ways that allow voters to recognize him or her as ‘one of ours’. On the other side, however, research also shows how science is put forward in populists’ discourse: often, traditional epistemic authorities are contested by advocating alternative knowledge authorities, and science, facts and knowledge are praised as crucial basis for expressing informed and fair opinions. This is the case of the reference to biology or evolutionary psychology to undermine the socalled ‘gender theory’, or the debates over climate change, health and medicine in which the positions of nonmainstream experts are praised. Scholars use the expressions ‘pseudo-science’ and ‘troll-science’, or ‘counterscience’ to point out the ambivalent relationships between populism, scientific knowledge and, more in general, expertise. While anti-science refers to the rejection and devaluation of, and opposition to, the methods of science, pseudo-science denotes the growth of alternative methods for developing knowledge opposing well-established science. Both the anti-science discourses and the progress of pseudo-science are relevant in the era of populism, as they both contribute to contest and undermine collective trust toward established scientific knowledge and commonly accepted sources of expertise and competence. Stemming from the upcoming book project ‘Populism and Science’, coordinated by Hande Eslen-Ziya and Alberta Giorgi, this panel discusses the ambivalences in the socalled ‘war on science’ promoted by populist actors, and explore three case studies, which include both left- and right-leaning populist actors.

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