Identities in the Context of Populism

Abstract

Identity and identity politics play a vital role in phenomena closely related with today’s challenges to democracy. As growing numbers of the citizenry in democratic countries are disillusioned with liberal democracy, they become increasingly tempted by populist politics, paroles of protectionism, and demands for secessionism, as well as attacks on minority rights. The discourse of single and narrow identities enters into elected positions of members of populist, authoritarian, and anti-pluralist parties and influences current political and societal debates.