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Populism and Civil Society

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Listed:
  • Tito Boeri
  • Prachi Mishra
  • Chris Papageorgiou
  • Antonio Spilimbergo

Abstract

Since Tocqueville (1835), civil society has been recognized as a cornerstone of liberal democracy. But populists claim to be the only legitimate representatives of the people, leaving no space for civil society. Are populism and civil society enemies? To answer this question, we look at voters’ choices in Europe. We find that individuals belonging to associations are less likely by 1.6–2.8 percentage points to vote for populist parties, which is large considering that the average vote share for populist parties is between 12% and 22%. This result survives a large number of robustness checks.

Suggested Citation

  • Tito Boeri & Prachi Mishra & Chris Papageorgiou & Antonio Spilimbergo, 2021. "Populism and Civil Society," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 88(352), pages 863-895, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:88:y:2021:i:352:p:863-895
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12374
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    1. Emery Thomas J. & Kovac Mitja & Spruk Rok, 2023. "Estimating the Effects of Political Instability in Nascent Democracies," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 243(6), pages 599-642, December.
    2. Olga Ilinichna Stankova, 2019. "Frontiers of Economic Policy Communications," IMF Departmental Papers / Policy Papers 19/08, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Crescenzi, Riccardo & Di Cataldo, Marco & Giua, Mara, 2020. "It’s not about the money. EU funds, local opportunities, and Euroscepticism," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Gonzalez, Felipe & Prem, Mounu & von Dessauer, Cristine, 2023. "Empowerment or Indoctrination? Women Centers Under Dictatorship," SocArXiv 64mf9, Center for Open Science.
    5. Manuel Funke & Moritz Schularick & Christoph Trebesch, 2023. "Populist Leaders and the Economy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 113(12), pages 3249-3288, December.
    6. Carlo Altomonte & Gloria Gennaro & Francesco Passarelli, 2019. "Collective Emotions And Protest Vote," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 19107, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    7. Chen, Shuai, 2023. "Unemployment, Immigration, and Populism," IZA Discussion Papers 16642, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Riccardo Crescenzi & Marco Di Cotaldo & Mara Guia, 2019. "It’s not about the money! EU funds, local opportunities, and the Brexit vote," LEQS – LSE 'Europe in Question' Discussion Paper Series 149, European Institute, LSE.
    9. Niklas Potrafke & Felix Roesel, 2022. "Online Versus Offline: Which Networks Spur Protests?," CESifo Working Paper Series 9969, CESifo.
    10. Gersbach, Hans & Köhler-Schindler, Laurin, 2019. "Politsplaining: Populism Breeds Populism," CEPR Discussion Papers 13919, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    11. Cuccu, Liliana & Pontarollo, Nicola, 2024. "Logistic hubs and support for radical-right populism: Evidence from Italy," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    12. Di Cocco, Jessica & Levi, Eugenio & Mariani, Rama Dasi & Stillman, Steven, 2024. "Does a Lack of Trust Boost Populist Political Parties in Europe? Causal Evidence from Three Methodologies," IZA Discussion Papers 17342, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    13. Mona Foertsch & Felix Roesel, 2023. "Sports Clubs and Populism: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from German Cities," CESifo Working Paper Series 10259, CESifo.
    14. González, Felipe & Prem, Mounu & von Dessauer, Cristine, 2024. "Empowerment or Indoctrination? Female Training Programs under Dictatorship," IZA Discussion Papers 17163, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    15. repec:imf:imfdps:19/08 is not listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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