Unintended Consequences of Cooperation: When IOs Enable Populists

• In Event: Public Opinion and International Cooperation

Abstract

Scholars have long attributed the rise of populism to countries' domestic politics. We argue that international factors often contribute as well, claiming in particular that negative experiences with international bodies boost populist attitudes. We examine the impact of high-profile losses at the World Trade Organization as well as IMF programs that mandated particularly burdensome reforms. We show that in both cases, support for populism increased after engagement with these organizations. Qualitative case studies suggest that these findings are due to a rise in negative feelings toward global elites.

Authors

• Allison Carnegie, Columbia University

• Richard Clark, Princeton University