Populists without parties: are left-wing and right-wing populists in Quebec disengaged citizens?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The literature on populism is vast, with most studies exploring this phenomenon in contexts where populist parties play a central role in steering populist ideas and mobilizing their supporters. Yet, populist ideas can be supported by a widespread share of the population even in the absence of populist parties. This study investigates and compares how left- and right-wing populists engage with politics when no populist party represents their voice in the political system. Relying on a survey of 5633 respondents in Quebec (Canada), we examine how support for populist ideas relates to different forms of political participation. Our findings indicate that left-wing populists are less likely to vote than other citizens, specifically at the provincial level. This finding, however, does not hold for their right-wing counterparts. Moreover, right-wing populists exhibit a greater propensity to engage in non- and semi-institutional forms of action that enable them to express their grievances directly to elected officials. With these forms of action not observed among left-wing populists, our study points to fundamental differences in the expression of left- and right-wing populisms. Despite these differences, our study indicates that all populists perceive more than other citizens that violence can be a legitimate mean of action.