Skip to main content

Populism, Ideology and Discourse in the Global South

Lisa Zanotti

Contact: Zanotti-AnderloniL(at)ceu.edu

Assistant Professor, Diego Portales University, Santiago, Chile

Lisa Zanotti is an assistant professor at Diego Portales University in Santiago, Chile; an adjunct researcher at the Center for the Study of Social Conflict and Cohesion; and a researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of the Far Right (Ultra-Lab). Previously, she held a visiting position at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). She holds a PhD in political science from the Diego Portales University and in humanities from the University of Leiden (Netherlands). Her area of specialisation is comparative politics, with a specific focus on topics such as party systems, populism and radicalisation processes, particularly concerning the far right in both Latin America and Western Europe.

Research project

Echoes of Division: Decoding Polarizing Rhetoric and ‘Double Othering’ Strategies of Radical Populist Leaders

This research project examines the dynamics of populist discourse across the political spectrum, focusing on the dual processes of ‘double othering’ and the utilization of polarizing rhetoric by populist leaders. It aims to explore how ideological and psycho-linguistic patterns linked to radical and populist movements create a divisive worldview, affecting societal cohesion and democratic integrity. The project will analyze the different discursive strategies used by right-wing populists, who often contrast ‘ordinary’ citizens against a ‘corrupt elite’, and Populist Radical Left movements that maintain a people-versus-elite narrative while promoting inclusivity. Employing an innovative methodological approach that leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze unstructured discourse, this study will uncover deeper insights into the rhetorical strategies and emotional appeals utilized by these figures. By examining the linguistic and psychological tactics through which populism challenges democratic norms, this project aims to offer fresh insights and propose strategies to mitigate populism’s negative impacts on society. Through detailed analysis and the development of counter-narratives, the research seeks to foster democratic resilience and social harmony, contributing to the broader dialogue on addressing the challenges posed by polarizing populist rhetoric.