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The role of misrecognition in driving support for right-wing populism

Julia Elad-Strenger, Bar-Ilan University; Thomas Kessler, University of Jena

Recent research suggests that citizens' sense of being socially marginalized, or "left behind" in society, plays an important role in triggering support for right wing populist attitudes. Although perceived misrecognition by others is thought to be a core aspect of this sense of social marginalization, the effect of (mis)recognition on citizens' support for the populist right has thus far not been systematically examined. Inspired by social identity theory, we conceptualize the establishment of subjective superiority over the elites on the one hand, and over national minorities on the other, as an identity management strategy in the face of perceived misrecognition by the elites of society. Across three studies conducted in Germany, we provide cross-sectional and experimental support for a causal model in which misrecognition by the elites, which is perceived to be directed at people as "nationals" rather than as individuals, triggers contempt towards the elites and rejection of national minorities, via the perception of threat to national identity ("social identity threat"). Our findings suggest that support for attitudes associated with the populist right may serve citizens in forming a valued group identity in the face of the elites who allegedly deny or disregard it.

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