Populism and the Border: Theoretically and Empirically Dissecting Strategies of Exclusion and the Recreation of Identities

The field of political science has seen a significant surge in interest regarding the dynamics of populism, particularly in the context of borders and identity formation. Since the Great Recession, political parties across the spectrum have increasingly leveraged populist rhetoric, appealing to the "will of the people" to challenge established political elites. This trend has been further fueled by global refugee crises, such as those in Ukraine, Syria, and Venezuela, which populist leaders have used to exploit societal fears and grievances. While nationalism, nativism, and migration have been extensively studied within populist discourse, the intricate relationship between populism and borders remains underexplored. Borders are not only physical demarcations but also symbolic constructs that shape collective identities and serve as tools of exclusion, categorizing individuals based on territorial, linguistic, religious, or biological traits. The relational aspect of populism, which involves the (re)creation of political identities through the dichotomy of 'us' versus 'them,' underscores the need for a deeper investigation into how borders influence and are influenced by populist narratives.

This research topic aims to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue that delves into the complex interplay between populism and borders. The primary objective is to explore both empirical and theoretical perspectives on how borders are utilized within populist discourses and to understand the significance of citizens' attitudes and beliefs regarding these borders. By examining the conceptual dimensions of borders—whether geographical, political, or ideational—the research seeks to illuminate how these boundaries are employed to construct and contest meanings of 'the people,' thereby establishing social hierarchies between the 'authentic' and the 'undeserving' other. The research will address key questions such as: How do populist movements use borders to define and mobilize their constituencies? What role do borders play in the performative constitution of political identities?

To gather further insights into the relationship between populism and borders, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Theoretical and normative analyses of borders within populist discourses.
• Empirical and comparative studies of populism and border dynamics across different regions and ideological contexts.
• The role of media representations in shaping perceptions of borders and related political crises.
• Psychosocial factors underpinning prejudice and exclusion in the context of populist border narratives.
• The impact of political frames and language on the justification and implementation of (re)bordering practices.
• Case studies from diverse geographic areas, including Latin America and Asia, and various ideological standpoints, such as left-wing populism and substate independence movements.

Keywords: Populism, borders, migration, media, nationalism, nativism, refugees, radical right, Euroscepticism

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.