Populist Attitudes in Spanish Academics

Abstract

The rise in populism across European Union Member States has led to varying degrees of polarization regarding who fits into the populist box. Contention around the definition and practice of populism leaves the conversation void. Through the input of previous populist measuring surveys this paper developed a new survey to measure the degree of populist attitudes in Spain’s academic elites. This survey was sent out to over 10,000 Spanish professors and received over 1,500 responses. Through this data, this paper approaches populism through a new perspective. The connection to populism with the general, often lower class citizens is refuted through displaying the prominence of populist desires in some of Spain’s most highly educated and financially secure elite.

Faculty Mentor: Andrea Wagner

Department: Political Science (Honours)