Populism in Power: Religion and Family Values Policies in Israel, Italy and Turkey

A growing political science literature focuses on right-wing populist parties; however, there are not many comparative studies addressing the issue of family values-related discourses and policies carried out by them, especially when they are involved in policy-making. Moreover, many comparative works about populism are exclusively focused on a single region - often western and/or eastern Europe. This paper adopts a definition of populism focused on two different dimensions: a vertical (or inclusive) one aimed against the elites; and a horizontal (or exclusive) one aimed against “foreigners”. The use of family values in political discourse and policy pertains to the two axis of populism. On the one hand, critique of elites uncommitted to traditional values and morally corrupt. On the other hand, demographic concerns regarding immigrants with large families and the decline of birth among native populations. In any case, the stress on family values can also be the result of a value orientation, or just a tactical move, engendered by political competition. Specifically, this paper regards the politics of family values as pertaining to policies concerning first of all gender equality, family planning and LGBT rights. In this proposed paper we compare the politics of family values in three countries: Israel, Italy and Turkey. These countries share a rather strong religious tradition, have experienced changes in family orientations and have populist political parties that appeal to religious values. In our comparative study we explore these developments and the role of family values in the discourses and policies of the Likud and Shas parties in Israel, the Lega and Fratelli d’Italia parties in Italy and the AKP in Turkey.