About this Research Topic
Post-industrial democracies are struggling with challenges external and internal. Primary among many of these challenges to the current established political order, or democracy itself, are those specific issues presented by nationalist, populist and separatist movements and ideologies. Many of these socio-political movements and political parties are operating within democratic boundaries, others are pushing the boundaries of what has been considered socially or politically acceptable. Furthermore, while many such movements are from the right of the political spectrum, others are operating from the left, or from non-traditional aspects of the political arena. Many have found wide support within their society at a time of global, often unprecedented, economic challenges, others draw upon different bases for support, stressing ideological or cultural factors.
Therefore, it is important to understand, in relation to these ongoing economic, cultural and ideological challenges, what people, movements and parties seek in terms of safety, security, and change in an increasingly complex world. How do people find meaning and understanding in their sense of belonging? How do they relate to terms and ideas such as democracy, society and politics in the context of contemporary nationalist, populist or separatist movements? In what ways have shifting borders, or changing boundaries affected democracies? What insights can current, or new research provide and what lessons can be gleaned from analysis of countries, movements, people and places? What new methods or methodologies can provide greater insight?
Given the extensive range of challenges facing the planet, we seek a wide range of works across the area of politics. We particularly welcome submissions considering identity, in relation to social, political and economic difficulties in democratic states, involving nationalist, populist and separatist movements in a wide variety of societies. We further encourage submissions considering wider issues of polarisation and conflict in such societies. We invite the use and employment of broad ranging approaches and considerations, as we feel that the questions we pose are best addressed from a wide variety of methodological and epistemological perspectives. We consider both qualitative and quantitative research to have validity in addressing the issues, challenges and questions facing democracies today. We invite articles that consider original research, applying existing, or new and alternative methods, hypothesis and theories, and consider specific case studies, policies or practices.
Therefore, it is important to understand, in relation to these ongoing economic, cultural and ideological challenges, what people, movements and parties seek in terms of safety, security, and change in an increasingly complex world. How do people find meaning and understanding in their sense of belonging? How do they relate to terms and ideas such as democracy, society and politics in the context of contemporary nationalist, populist or separatist movements? In what ways have shifting borders, or changing boundaries affected democracies? What insights can current, or new research provide and what lessons can be gleaned from analysis of countries, movements, people and places? What new methods or methodologies can provide greater insight?
Given the extensive range of challenges facing the planet, we seek a wide range of works across the area of politics. We particularly welcome submissions considering identity, in relation to social, political and economic difficulties in democratic states, involving nationalist, populist and separatist movements in a wide variety of societies. We further encourage submissions considering wider issues of polarisation and conflict in such societies. We invite the use and employment of broad ranging approaches and considerations, as we feel that the questions we pose are best addressed from a wide variety of methodological and epistemological perspectives. We consider both qualitative and quantitative research to have validity in addressing the issues, challenges and questions facing democracies today. We invite articles that consider original research, applying existing, or new and alternative methods, hypothesis and theories, and consider specific case studies, policies or practices.
Keywords: Conflict, Nationalism, National Identity, Populism, Polarization
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.
