Populism has traditionally been examined from the supply-side of politics, focusing on the rhetoric of populist movements, parties, and leaders. However, recent scholarship has increasingly adopted quantitative approaches to study both the supply- and demand-side of populism by using survey items to measure populist attitudes.
This paper aims to compare the positions of Greek voters, candidates, and political parties on issues related to populism through quantitative research, utilizing data from the 2019 and 2023 Greek national election studies, i.e., candidate and voter surveys. The primary research question is whether voters share the same views on populism-related issues as the candidates and political parties they support.
By comparing the 2019 and 2023 survey data, this study examines how populist attitudes and positions have evolved over time, providing insights into shifts in public opinion and political rhetoric.
Additionally, by examining opinions on immigrants, minority rights, and social liberalism, this study seeks to identify the manifestations of right-wing and left-wing populism among both voters and political parties.
Greece serves as a case study, but the survey items used have also been employed in other countries, contributing to the comparative research of populism. This work encourages scholars from other countries to incorporate more populism-related survey items in their future election studies, thereby enhancing the understanding of populism on a global scale.
