Understanding U.S. Populism: Domestic Drivers and International Reflections

Conference organised by IRIS in partnership with Erasmus +. This conference will benefit from live automatic translation provided by Zoom.

In recent years, populism has reemerged as a defining force in global politics, particularly in the context of Donald Trump’s election in the United States and the rise of far-right parties across Europe. While the term is frequently invoked—particularly in Europe—as a catch-all for political extremism or anti-establishment sentiment, its roots and expressions vary significantly across national and historical contexts.

Understanding populism in the United States is essential for making sense of contemporary American politics, especially when contrasted with European interpretations. How has the meaning of populism evolved over time? How has the use of the term “populist” in European discourse shaped our understanding of the phenomenon? What distinguishes left-wing populist movements from their right-wing counterparts? And what can international comparisons reveal about the broader populist moment?