Different Types of Right-Wing Populist Discourse in Government and Opposition: The Case of Italy. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bobba, Giuliano; McDonnell, Duncan
• Is Part Of: South European society & politics. Volume 21:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 299
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Populism -- radical right -- populist discourse -- Forza Italia -- Lega Nord; Europe, Southern -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Europe, Southern -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; 940
• DOI: 10.1080/13608746.2016.1211239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-8746

Abstract

Abstract: Does right-wing populist discourse change when parties move from opposition to government? How do different ideological types of right-wing populist parties express this discourse? Through an analysis of the Lega Nord and Forza Italia/Popolo della Libertà between 2006 and 2013, we find that while the switch to office does bring some changes, the main elements of their populist discourse remain largely the same. We also show how their respective emphases on 'elites' and 'others' distinguish the parties: FI/PDL focuses overwhelmingly on 'elites' while the LN places similar emphasis on both 'elites' and 'others'.