The Extreme Average: Expression of Whiteness and Populist Radical Right Support

• In Event: Unpacking Social and Political Identities

Abstract

Where do Populist Radical Right (PRR) voters stand in society? While some scholars consider PRR voters to be left behind, marginalized, and excluded, other research suggests that “the people” should be regarded and see themselves as rather central, average members of society. Indeed, PRR parties gain support from a broad spectrum of society and particularly from historically dominant groups, such as white Americans in the US. This puzzle calls to determine PRR voters’ position in society.
To address this gap, I draw from Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT), which suggests that for individuals to feel included, they need to a) feel to belong to the larger group while b) simultaneously being able to differentiate with their subgroup. Accordingly, individuals need to identify with the larger society while feeling able to express their subgroup membership. For example, for Americans who strongly identify as white, I argue that this subgroup feels to firmly belong to society and yet feels excluded because the recent promotion of ethnic minorities makes them feel unable to express whiteness.
I conduct preregistered analyses of two waves of ANES data to test the claim that white identifiers will be less likely to support PRR ideology if they feel seen and respected as Whites. I close by discussing my findings in relation to Whites’ position in society. Moreover, I outline implications for other PRR-relevant subgroups (e.g., men) whose societal position is yet to be located.

Keywords: Optimal distinctiveness, national identity, white identity, populism, populist radical right

Author

• Luca Versteegen, University of Gothenburg