Geographical and economic divides in Western democracies have intensified radical right-wing populist attitudes (RWPP), such as resentment, nativism, and populism. Rooted in grievances about economic decline, these attitudes are often reinforced by strong local identities, particularly in rural or economically struggling regions. Media coverage of economic downturns plays a crucial role in shaping these perceptions, alongside actual economic conditions.
This project, planned for winter 2025, investigates whether exposure to economic decline messages activates RWPP attitudes. It also examines how local identity and residency type (urban vs. rural) moderate these effects. The study will draw on a CRSH-funded survey conducted across France, Denmark, Germany, and the UK, stratified by urbanity type and local economic condition. A semi-experimental design will be used, involving a control group (receiving no or unrelated messages) and a treatment group (exposed to bad economic news). Participants' political attitudes, including resentment and nativism, will be assessed post-treatment.
The objectives are threefold: first, to test whether bad economic news directly increases RWPP attitudes; second, to evaluate the moderating effects of local identity and residency type; and third, to explore geographical variations in responses. By integrating survey and experimental approaches, this project aims to provide insights into how economic and place-based factors shape political attitudes in different regional contexts.