Video Presentations
Are Mainstream Parties the Main Cause of the Rise of Populist and Far Right Parties?
IEP@BU webinar (2025)
This seminar discusses research on populism showing that populist parties gain support by addressing gaps in political representation — specifically, aligning with voters’ genuine policy preferences — rather than merely channeling protest or anti-elite sentiment.
Why are Populist Parties so Successful in the EU?
IEP@BU webinar (2024)
The June 2024 European Elections will see once again a competition between mainstream parties and populist, or nativist movements. Laurenz Guenther finds that, while policymaking represents the economic attitudes of citizens relatively well, there exist large representation gaps on cultural issues in nearly all European countries.
Policy Commentaries
Representation Gaps and the Rise of Populism
THE CONVERSATION (2025)
Mainstream parties must recognise what voters are asking for, otherwise they are playing into populist hands.
The Representation Gap Weakening Germany’s Traditional Left
IEP@BU commentary (2024)
The crisis of Die Linke and the rise of BSW demonstrate that parties combining left-wing economic policies with culturally conservative stances, particularly on migration, are becoming more competitive.
Why European Far-Right Parties Are Poised to Continue Rising (2024)
IEP@BU commentary
About half of the European population views all established parties as too culturally liberal, especially on migration policies. Why this might mean that the rise of right-wing populism is far from over and has a very ceiling, if any.
Book Chapters and Magazine Articles
Linke Lücke
Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft (2025)
Europaweit sind Rechtspopulisten im Aufwind. Wie Mitte-links-Parteien die Repräsentationslücke schließen und verlorene Wähler zurückgewinnen können.
Die andere Gefahr
Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft (2025)
Die Annahme, Fake News würden Wahlen entscheiden, ist weit verbreitet. Dieses irreführende Narrativ schürt Misstrauen und schadet der Demokratie.
When voters are more conservative than elected representatives
Eco, the monthly economics magazine (2024)
This article discusses evidence of “political representation gaps” — policymaking in most European countries differs systematically from the popular will. I also discuss how populists exploit representation gaps, how non-populist parties could win back voters, and examine potential causes of representation gaps.
