Enemies of the Past: How Anti-Communist Identity (and Nostalgia) Fuels the Populist Radical Right

This paper examines the role of authoritarian nostalgia in shaping anti-communism as a negative identity used by populist radical right (PRR) parties to mobilize and attract voters. Anti-communism, as a collective negative identity, transcends the boundaries of positive ideological affiliations to PRR parties, serving as a fertile space for their electoral growth. Specifically, this research investigates the components of anti-communism—such as nostalgia for how authoritarian regimes confronted communist adversaries—and explores the extent to which this negative identity predicts voting for PRR parties in different contexts. By situating anti-communism within the broader framework of authoritarian nostalgia, the study sheds light on how PRR parties construct and instrumentalize historical narratives to normalize their platforms. Drawing on original survey data from Italy (2022), Greece (2023), France (2024), Peru (2024), and Chile (2025), this paper employs a public opinion approach to analyze the prevalence, predictors, and electoral consequences of anti-communist sentiment across Europe and Latin America. The comparative scope highlights both commonalities and regional specificities in how authoritarian legacies are politicized. The nationally representative surveys include an innovative scale designed to measure anti-communism as a political identity, offering new insights into its multidimensional character. Key components include perceptions of authoritarian regimes as defenders of order, stability, and tradition against communist “threats”, as well as intergenerational transmission of anti-communist attitudes. This study addresses several key research questions: How do PRR parties in different regions incorporate authoritarian nostalgia into their discourses, particularly through anti-communism? Are there territorial differences in the framing of anti-communism as part of authoritarian nostalgia? Under what circumstances does anti-communism predict support for PRR candidates? The findings reveal that the resonance of anti-communism depends on contextual factors, including the historical salience of communism, the credibility of PRR appeals to authoritarian legacies, and the role of media and mainstream parties in politicizing the authoritarian past. The analysis underscores the utility of authoritarian nostalgia in expanding the electoral base of PRR parties by activating shared grievances tied to anti-communism. In particular, the paper highlights how negative identities, such as anti-communism, can unify diverse voter segments, including those who may not share a full alignment with PRR ideology but perceive communism as an existential threat. This dynamic is evident in both regions under study, where authoritarian nostalgia manifests differently but consistently strengthens the appeal of PRR parties.By comparing Europe and Latin America, the study illustrates the complex interplay between historical legacies, political discourse, and voter behavior. This research has broader implications for understanding how PRR parties exploit historical narratives to erode liberal democratic norms. By demonstrating how authoritarian nostalgia fosters the normalization of PRR agendas, the paper contributes to the academic and policy discourse on the resilience of democracy. Ultimately, it invites further exploration of the conditions under which authoritarian nostalgia, as a global phenomenon, enables the mainstreaming of PRR parties in diverse political systems.