Exclusionary Populism in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland

Since the late 1980s, a new breed of right-wing parties and movements has gained

considerable political ground in a number of liberal democracies, particularly – but

not exclusively – in Europe. Several characteristics distinguish these parties and

movements from the more traditional parties: Reliance on charismatic leadership; the

pursuit of a populist strategy of political marketing with a pronounced costumer (i.e.,

voter) orientation; and the appeal to popular anxieties, prejudices, and ressentiments. Typically, new populist parties and movements have marketed themselves both as uncompromising defenders of the rights, and fearless advocates of the interests of the common people and, more importantly, as the only true representatives and promoters of “genuine democracy.”