Populism, Politics of Exclusion, and Women

Abstract

Populism is a much-debated concept, coupled with different forms, narratives, and applications. The conceptualization of populism is highly contested. Perhaps the largest body of scholars argue that populism is a divisive set of ideas or ideology that considers society ultimately separated into two hegemonic and antagonistic groups, “the pure people” versus “the corrupt elite” (Mudde 2004). The distinctive reliance on the polarization of “us” and “them” in populism draws on nationalist notions of exclusive belonging, the need for closure to protect the “us” from would-be infiltrators, and observance of prescribed gendered roles to ensure the continued rule of the majority (race/ethno-nation). The reproduction of the “us” is too crucial to leave unregulated, and gendered bodies are too vulnerable to violation and occupation to go without vigilance, that is, without surveillance and demographic policing. Gendered narratives support the anti-immigration features of populism and its curbs on democratic institutions, both in the service of national recovery and in its identification of potentially disloyal, suspect voices within the demos. Hence, there is an intricate connection between populism and gender, which is also essential in understanding the ways in which populism threatens all women’s reproductive rights and agency (Mostov, Frontiers in Sociology, 2021). This entry makes an attempt to highlight the connection between populism, gendered roles, toxic masculinity, and its impact on women’s agency.