Patterns of populist mobilization: comparing narratives on COVID-19 in the global South

Belder, F and Destradi, S and Gurol, J and Rodríguez, C Heras and Kölük, M and Martins, J and Rogel, S and Sabhapandit, Swarati (2023) Patterns of populist mobilization: comparing narratives on COVID-19 in the global South. International Affairs, 99 (1). pp. 337-355. ISSN 0020-5850

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Abstract

This article explores the narratives shaping the official discourse on COVID-19 in five countries governed by populists in different world regions. It is based on the assumption that a crisis like the pandemic constitutes a perfect occasion for populist mobilization, allowing populist leaders to construct reality in their favour by deliberately promoting own narratives about the pandemic, its origin and management. Analyzing 357 original-language speeches and statements by representatives of the populist governments of Brazil, Israel, India, Mexico and Turkey, the article shows that populists in power use crises to mobilize support in very different ways. Surprisingly, most populist governments neither resorted to anti-scientific claims or conspiratorial discourses attributing the crisis to obscure elites, nor blamed minorities not belonging to the ‘true people’. By contrast, except for Bolsonaro in Brazil, all other populist governments tried to mobilize support by emphasizing the strength of the ‘people’ or even by promoting an inclusive discourse of national unity, leaving aside the more divisive elements of their general populist discourse. Based on the cases analysed, the article concludes by developing hypotheses on the possible drivers of such variations in patterns of populist mobilization.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Belder, F and Destradi, S and Gurol, J and Rodríguez, C Heras and Kölük, M and Martins, J and Rogel, S and Sabhapandit, Swarati
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Social sciences > Political Science > The political process
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Ranchi > School of Development
Full Text Status:	Restricted
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7771
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/ia%2Fiiac260

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