,“Populism is the big topic in political science now. The study of the latest
re-emergence of populist parties and leaders has managed to attract some of
the most talented young scholars. In this rigorously researched book Petar
Stankov offers an original theory of populist cycles, focusing on identity,
economy and societal fairness. In addition, he offers empirical explana-
tions of those cycles and valuable insights into the consequences of populist
governance.”
Ivan Krastev, Centre for Liberal
Strategies, Sofia, Bulgaria, and Institute
for Human Sciences, Vienna, Austria
“Petar Stankov’s The Political Economy of Populism offers a clear and
concise interpretation of how and why populist leaders and parties have
emerged across many societies in recent decades. The book examines the
consequences of the rise of populism, describing policies and results that
typically follow populist ascendancies. Finally, the book explores self-cor-
rection mechanisms in mature democracies. Covering a wide range of cases
and methods of analysis, the lucid prose and clear explanations will make
this a ‘must read’ for every student of our current political moment.”
Michael Kevane, Department of
Economics, Santa Clara University, USA
“Despite the growing academic interest in populism, there is not much
research about its relationship with the economy. This book addresses this
research gap by offering a detailed analysis of the economic consequences
of populism as well as a novel theory of populist cycles. This is a must
read for all those who want to understand the economic underpinnings of
populism.”
Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, School
of Political Science, Diego Portales
University, Santiago, Chile
,
, The Political Economy
of Populism
The Political Economy of Populism explores the interplay between identity,
the economy and inequality to explain the dynamics of populist votes since
the beginning of the 20th century.
The book discusses the political and economic implications of populist
governance using data on populist incumbencies and linking it to historical
data on the macro economy and democracy. Chapters draw from the most
recent political science, economics and other social science literature, as
well as historical data, to explain the long-term causes and consequences
of populism. Populism emerges and gains traction when political entrepre-
neurs exploit underlying identity conflicts for political gains. As the dis-
tributional consequences of both economic distress and economic growth
typically favor the elite over the poor and the lower middle class, economic
shocks usually sharpen the underlying identity conflicts between the groups.
The book provides evidence of significant differences in the ways fiscal and
monetary policies are conducted by incumbent populists in Latin America,
Europe and the OECD. The work concludes by suggesting avenues through
which a 21st century social consensus can be built, so that our society can
avoid repeating the mistakes that led to wars and failed economic experi-
ments in the 20th century.
The Political Economy of Populism marks a significant contribution to
the study of populism and is suited to students and scholars across the social
sciences, including economics, political science and sociology.
Petar Stankov is a teaching fellow in the Department of Economics at
Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, and a senior lecturer at the
University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
re-emergence of populist parties and leaders has managed to attract some of
the most talented young scholars. In this rigorously researched book Petar
Stankov offers an original theory of populist cycles, focusing on identity,
economy and societal fairness. In addition, he offers empirical explana-
tions of those cycles and valuable insights into the consequences of populist
governance.”
Ivan Krastev, Centre for Liberal
Strategies, Sofia, Bulgaria, and Institute
for Human Sciences, Vienna, Austria
“Petar Stankov’s The Political Economy of Populism offers a clear and
concise interpretation of how and why populist leaders and parties have
emerged across many societies in recent decades. The book examines the
consequences of the rise of populism, describing policies and results that
typically follow populist ascendancies. Finally, the book explores self-cor-
rection mechanisms in mature democracies. Covering a wide range of cases
and methods of analysis, the lucid prose and clear explanations will make
this a ‘must read’ for every student of our current political moment.”
Michael Kevane, Department of
Economics, Santa Clara University, USA
“Despite the growing academic interest in populism, there is not much
research about its relationship with the economy. This book addresses this
research gap by offering a detailed analysis of the economic consequences
of populism as well as a novel theory of populist cycles. This is a must
read for all those who want to understand the economic underpinnings of
populism.”
Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, School
of Political Science, Diego Portales
University, Santiago, Chile
,
, The Political Economy
of Populism
The Political Economy of Populism explores the interplay between identity,
the economy and inequality to explain the dynamics of populist votes since
the beginning of the 20th century.
The book discusses the political and economic implications of populist
governance using data on populist incumbencies and linking it to historical
data on the macro economy and democracy. Chapters draw from the most
recent political science, economics and other social science literature, as
well as historical data, to explain the long-term causes and consequences
of populism. Populism emerges and gains traction when political entrepre-
neurs exploit underlying identity conflicts for political gains. As the dis-
tributional consequences of both economic distress and economic growth
typically favor the elite over the poor and the lower middle class, economic
shocks usually sharpen the underlying identity conflicts between the groups.
The book provides evidence of significant differences in the ways fiscal and
monetary policies are conducted by incumbent populists in Latin America,
Europe and the OECD. The work concludes by suggesting avenues through
which a 21st century social consensus can be built, so that our society can
avoid repeating the mistakes that led to wars and failed economic experi-
ments in the 20th century.
The Political Economy of Populism marks a significant contribution to
the study of populism and is suited to students and scholars across the social
sciences, including economics, political science and sociology.
Petar Stankov is a teaching fellow in the Department of Economics at
Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, and a senior lecturer at the
University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
