When migrants become ‘The People’: The logics of populist mobilisation in the context of transnational migration

Abstract

Speaker: Mari-Liis Jakobson, Tallinn University While populism studies are burgeoning, they tend to remain largely confined to the container of methodological nationalism and pay less attention to how populist political mobilisation can also work beyond the borders of nation states. This webinar will zoom in on populist political mobilisation in the context of migrant transnationalism. Based on already published and ongoing research, it will explore, how and when can populist rhetoric incorporate migrants among ‘the people’ that populist politicians construct, and how likely are migrant voters to support populists in elections. The webinar will focus in particular on the puzzle of how can populist radical right parties, which are well known for their nativism and anti-immigrant attitudes, ensure success among migrant voters.