New Insights from Political Actors

Recent literature on populist parties and social movements highlights their transformative impact on democratic governance, political discourse, and institutional stability. Research examines the ways populist parties mobilize discontent by leveraging anti-elite rhetoric, nationalist appeals, and promises of direct representation, while social movements amplify grassroots demands for inclusion and systemic change. Comparative studies reveal significant variation in how populist actors operate across regions, from right-wing parties exploiting fears over immigration and globalization in Europe and North America to left-wing movements championing anti-austerity and social justice in Latin America and beyond. Questions about the long-term implications of populism for polarization, institutional legitimacy, and political participation remain central to current debates. This section invites contributions that explore the roles of political parties and social movements, including their motivations, strategies and behavior, from diverse methodological and theoretical perspectives, aiming to deepen our understanding of populist actors.