Populism as a Catalyst for Extremism: An Analysis of Its Relationship with Conspiracy Beliefs and Ideological Radicalization

Populism as a Catalyst for Extremism: An Analysis of Its Relationship with Conspiracy Beliefs and Ideological Radicalization | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 4 April 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Populism as a Catalyst for Extremism: An Analysis of Its Relationship with Conspiracy Beliefs and Ideological Radicalization Authors : JOSE VENTURA 0000-0002-1606-5955 [email protected] , Genshiro Shimabukuro 0000-0003-2319-1092 , and Juandiego Zagal Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174373214.46456758/v1 342 views 106 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This article presents an empirical model examining the explanatory relationship between three constructs: populism, conspiracy beliefs, and extremist attitudes—defined as attitudes of rejection and destruction toward democratic systems, manifested through violent acts, and even terrorism. The research was conducted in an emerging economic country, using a representative sample of 400 citizens in full exercise of their civil rights. The data were meticulously analyzed. The results indicate that populist attitudes influence extremist attitudes, mediated by conspiracy beliefs. This suggests that individuals with populist attitudes are more prone to general extremism, amplified by conspiracy theories. An increase in populist attitudes may heighten inclinations toward violent extremism. Additionally, populist attitudes were found to explain both right- and left-wing radicalism, mediated by conspiracy beliefs. However, contrary to findings in Europe and the United States, populism exhibited a highly significant relationship with left-wing radicalism in this context. A key conclusion of this study is that populism poses a greater risk than traditional ideologized radicalisms due to its ability to directly influence extremist attitudes, potentially translating into violent and even terrorist behaviors. This finding underscores the urgency of addressing populism as a sociopolitical phenomenon capable of exacerbating extremist dynamics in contemporary contexts. Supplementary Material File (02 april reviewed manuscript populism conspiracy and extremism.docx) Download 623.33 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 04 April 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Authors Affiliations JOSE VENTURA 0000-0002-1606-5955 [email protected] Universidad ESAN View all articles by this author Genshiro Shimabukuro 0000-0003-2319-1092 View all articles by this author Juandiego Zagal View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 342 views 106 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation JOSE VENTURA, Genshiro Shimabukuro, Juandiego Zagal. Populism as a Catalyst for Extremism: An Analysis of Its Relationship with Conspiracy Beliefs and Ideological Radicalization. Authorea . 04 April 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174373214.46456758/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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