DP15002 Why Does Globalization Fuel Populism?
Author(s): | Dani Rodrik |
Publication Date: | July 2020 |
Keyword(s): | |
JEL(s): | |
Programme Areas: | Public Economics, International Trade and Regional Economics, International Macroeconomics and Finance |
Link to this Page: | cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=15002 |
There is compelling evidence that globalization shocks, often working through culture and identity, have played an important role in driving up support for populist movements, particularly of the right-wing kind. I start with an empirical analysis of the 2016 presidential election in the U.S. to show globalization-related attitudinal variables were important correlates of the switch to Trump. I then provide a conceptual framework that identifies four distinct channels through which globalization can stimulate populism, two each on the demand and supply sides of politics, respectively. I evaluate the empirical literature with the help of this framework, discussing trade, financial globalization, and immigration separately. I conclude the paper by discussing some apparently anomalous cases where populists have been against, rather than in favor of trade protection.