Race, land, and right-wing populism
This article is written by Pepri Saputra, who specializes in the representation of asylum seekers and refugees in right-wing populist discourse in various parts of the world. In the essay below, he discusses how concepts of race and land figure in the rhetoric and ideology of reactionary populists in the European Union and the United States, especially in relation to immigration.
Deconstructing Right-Wing Populist Strategies in Relation to Race, Land, and Immigration in the EU and the US
In recent years, we have seen a rise in right-wing populist movements gaining influence on the global political stage. Western nations are described as undergoing a post-democratic development, with a tendency towards anti-globalization, anti-establishment, and anti-pluralism, as well as a focus on creating distinctions between “us” and “them” (Mudde 2007). This trend can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors, such as hyper-globalization, economic and financial crises, humanitarian crises, ethnonationalism, and growing dissatisfaction with political elites and mainstream political parties. The concepts of race and land play a crucial role in this trend, as there is a perception that a specific ethnic group has a rightful claim to control and occupy a particular geographic area, resulting in the exclusion, marginalization, and displacement of minority groups (Waters and Lewis 2007).
Refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea, January 2016
In its various forms, populism presents itself as a means to restore popular sovereignty and catalyzes calls for regime or system change with a strong leader who will stand up for the common people against the perceived elite. As a political strategy (Riedl 2020), populism offers a lens through which to examine the ways in which ideas are performed, manipulated, and politicized for political gain. One of the key characteristics of populist strategies is the exploitation of the confrontational relationship between the perceived “authentic” people and the “parasitical” elite (Mudde and Kaltwasser 2017). This strategy is characterized by the manipulation of emotions and identities, the use of simple and appealing messaging, and the portrayal of the populist leader as a savior who can restore popular sovereignty (Papadopoulos 2019). Populist politicians often use issues such as immigration, pluralism, and national identity to construct a narrative of crisis to exclude “the other” and embrace a narrative of crisis (Moffit 2017). They draw upon and combine different political imaginaries and traditions, evoke and construct different nationalist pasts through identity narratives, and emphasize various issues in everyday politics (Wodak 2015).
Refugees arriving in Europe, 2015
Populist politics have a long history in the European Union and the United States. They are known for the use of emotive and powerful rhetoric while offering simplistic solutions to complex issues (Mudde and Kaltwasser 2017; Riedel 2020). In the EU, populism has gained ground as a result of factors such as the refugee crisis, economic inequality, and the rise of ethnonationalism. The US, with its own unique history (including the legacy of slavery), continues to experience the ongoing impact of social and political divisions (Lewis 2020).
Populist actors in the EU politics such as Jarosław Kaczyński in Poland, Viktor Orban in Hungary, Matteo Salvini in Italy, and Heinz-Christian Strache in Austria similarly claim to be the voice of a dissatisfied population in opposition to the perceived elite. To make it more appealing to the people, they also often attack previous governments, opposition parties, and the EU and its institutions, portraying them as corrupt and disconnected from the needs of the people (Mudde 2004). In that perceived reality, they promise to put their country first, restore the power of the nation, and defend traditional values and identity against minority groups, particularly immigrants and sometimes the LGBTQI+ community. Salvini's “Italians First” slogan, for example, is a clear example of his appeal to the Italian population, portraying himself as a defender of the nation and the people against the EU elite. Similarly, Kaczyński's “Poland First” slogan, and Orban's “Hungary First” slogan, appeal to the nation and the people, portraying themselves as defenders against the EU bureaucracy, the liberal elite, and the “evil” immigrants. This use of ethnonationalist rhetoric and the emphasis on traditional values and the nation are part of the larger “race and land” concept.
US-Mexico border fence on the Pacific Coast, just south of San Diego, CA
Similarly, in the US, former President Trump portrayed himself as a representative of dissatisfied Americans, promising to end the rule of a corrupt elite (Moffit 2017; Riedel 2020). He frequently criticized career politicians, the media, and wealthy donors, portraying them as part of a corrupt system that was working against the interests of the American people (Postill 2018; Gründl 2020). These claims were central to his campaign and helped him gain support from a wide range of voters who were dissatisfied with the status quo (Mudde 2004; Mudde and Kaltwasser 2017). His political rhetoric was heavily influenced by ethnonationalist ideals that connect racialized ideology with territorial borders and assert that particular ethnic groups have an inherent right to control and inhabit a specific geographic area (Ramsey 2019). In his speeches and on social media, he often used slogans such as “Make America Great Again” and “Drain the Swamp,” which reflect this ethnonationalist perspective, as they emphasize the need to restore American power and values and reject the perceived corrupt elite. The use of social media, such as Twitter, allowed Trump to reach the public directly, bypassing traditional media channels, amplifying his populist message, and increasing his appeal to certain segments of the population.
In summary, populism presents itself as a means to restore popular sovereignty and catalyzes calls for regime or system change, making it an interesting and complex field of study. Both EU and US populist strategies are heavily influenced by ethnonationalist ideals and rely on the use of emotive and powerful rhetoric to appeal to a dissatisfied population. This perspective connects race and land, and seeks to promote the superiority of one’s own cultural and ethnic identity, while rejecting and suppressing minority groups. Advancements in media technology and the proliferation of social media have allowed those populist politicians to reach the public directly, bypassing traditional media channels (Postill 2018; Gründl 2020). This direct access allows them to spread unfiltered and often hostile messages towards outgroups or minorities directly to the public, which may appeal to certain segments of the population who feel left behind or disadvantaged by the status quo (Papadopoulos 2020). These tactics, coupled with the use of simple and appealing messaging, have proven to be effective in gaining support and influencing political outcomes both in the EU and US.
