1
Return

The relationship between populism and national identity: A scoping review

delete2026-06-11
delete0
PRE
AI
G
Gonçalo Freitas *
M
Mariana P. Miranda
P
Paulo Nascimento
C
Constança Conchinhas
P
Pedro C. Magalhães
J
Jorge Vala
DOI:10.1111/pops.70161delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
There is growing research on the relationship between populism and national identity, but findings remain conceptually and methodologically fragmented. This scoping review synthesizes quantitative evidence from 69 manuscripts (87 studies, 232 associations). Following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidance, we charted study characteristics and used thematic content analysis to classify populism as demand-side (attitudes/beliefs, sentiments/evaluations, endorsement/voting) or supply-side, and national identity as secure versus defensive forms. Evidence is concentrated in Europe (≈69% of studies) and relies mainly on cross-sectional designs (≈75%), with fewer experimental (≈16%) and longitudinal studies (≈7%). Across operationalizations, populism shows consistent positive links with defensive national attachments (e.g., nationalism, national narcissism), especially for voting/endorsement and affective evaluations of populist actors. In contrast, associations with secure national identification (e.g., national satisfaction/pride) are mixed, often null or negative, depending on measurement and modeling choices. Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive evidence mapping that can inform future research on populism and identity.
Keywords:
national identity
populism
populism-identity link
populist attitudes
scoping review
voting behavior

Journal

Political Psychology cover
Political Psychology
IF:
3.5
Papers:
2.4K
Citations:
7.6K

Organization

U
university of lisbon
Scholars:
449
Papers: 214
Citations: 0
Universidade da Madeira cover
Universidade da Madeira
Scholars:
906
Papers: 914
Citations: 1.4K
I
instituto universitário
Scholars:
6
Papers: 5
Citations: 0
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers