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Event Series

Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group


Professor Bart Bonikowski is on leave in 2018-2019. During this time, the Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group will be not be organizing events.

Populism has become an increasingly salient concept in social science research and the public sphere, as radical parties in Europe, the United States, and beyond have come to increasingly rely on anti-elite discourse, often in combination with nationalist appeals and authoritarian governance practices. The Study Group on Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics explores the driving forces behind the resurgence of populism and its effects on party systems, democratic practice, and intergroup relations. Drawing on the expertise of leading sociologists, political scientists, economists, and historians, our events interrogate central questions confronting scholars of radical politics and aim to stimulate discussion among faculty and students from across campus who share an interest in this important topic. We organize many of our events in conjunction with the Weatherhead Center’s Research Cluster on Global Populism.


Past Events

Multiple Paths to the Populist Radical Right: Voting for Populist Radical Right Parties in Cities and the Countryside Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — Multiple Paths to the Populist Radical Right: Voting for Populist Radical Right Parties in Cities and the Countryside
April 17, 2018
4:15pm - 6:00pm
  • Sarah de Lange – Professor of Political Science and Dr. J.M. Den Uyl Chair, University of Amsterdam
  • Peter A. Hall – Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies and CES Resident Faculty, Harvard University
The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It
February 6, 2018
4:15pm - 6:00pm
  • Yascha Mounk – Lecturer in the Government Department and CES Local Affiliate, Harvard University
Euroskepticism in a Post-Brexit Era Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — Euroskepticism in a Post-Brexit Era
November 15, 2017
2:15pm - 4:00pm
  • Matthew Goodwin – Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent
  • Armèn Hakhverdian – Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Amsterdam
  • Kathleen McNamara – Professor of Government and Foreign Service; Co-Director of the Global Political Economy Project, Georgetown University
Does European Populism Exist? Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group & Weatherhead Center's Global Populism Cluster — Does European Populism Exist?
September 18, 2017
4:15pm - 6:00pm
  • Timothy Garton Ash – Professor of European Studies, St Antony's College, University of Oxford; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
What Unites Right-Wing Populists in Western Europe, Revisited Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — What Unites Right-Wing Populists in Western Europe, Revisited
April 12, 2017
2:15pm - 4:00pm
  • Elisabeth Ivarsflaten – Professor of Political Science, University of Bergen, Professor II Center for Research on Right-Wing Extremism, University of Oslo
Activating Populism: The Role of Blame Attribution Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — Activating Populism: The Role of Blame Attribution
March 1, 2017
2:15pm - 4:00pm
  • Kirk Hawkins – Associate Professor of Political Science, Brigham Young University
  • Ryan Enos – Associate Professor of Political Science, Government Department, Harvard University
Trump, Brexit, and the Future of Nationalist Populism in the US and Europe Populism, Nationalism and Radical Politics Study Group — Trump, Brexit, and the Future of Nationalist Populism in the US and Europe
September 28, 2016
1:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Joachim Fritz-Vannahme – Director, Programme Europe’s Future, Bertelsmann Stiftung
  • Dani Rodrik – Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Theda Skocpol – Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, Harvard University; Faculty Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Daniel Ziblatt – Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, Harvard University; Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Unit Director, Transformations of Democracy, WZB Berlin Social Science Center
  • Chair Bart Bonikowski – Past Resident Faculty
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