Is the Populist Right Rising Because of Economics or Culture? | GIRT EP 002
In this episode of GIRT, Owen Rees and Ethan Urch examine one of the defining political questions of the 2020s: why right-wing populist movements are rising across Western democracies. From Trump and Brexit to One Nation in Australia, we explore whether the surge is driven primarily by economic pressures, cultural anxiety, or the polarising effects of social media.
Across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, populist right parties have surged in support. But why?
In Episode 002 of GIRT, Owen Rees and Ethan Urch unpack three major explanations often offered by political economists and commentators:
Economic grievance - stagnating wages, housing costs and inequality
Cultural anxiety - fears about identity, immigration and social change
Media polarisation - the role of social media algorithms in amplifying outrage
The conversation traces how events like the Global Financial Crisis, Brexit, Trump’s election, and post-COVID inflation shaped political attitudes. Why Australia may have experienced a delayed version of the same pressures.
Rather than offering simple answers, the episode explores the trade-offs, incentives and historical patterns that may explain why populist politics is gaining ground.
What you’ll learn:
Why commentators say the populist right is rising globally
The economic explanation: stagnating living standards and inequality
The cultural explanation: immigration, identity and social change
The social media explanation: algorithms, outrage and polarisation
Why Australia lagged behind Brexit and Trump
Whether economic reform alone could reduce populist political support
FAQ
What is right-wing populism?
Right-wing populism is a political style that frames politics as a conflict between “ordinary people” and elites, often combined with strong positions on immigration, national identity and cultural change.
Is the rise of the populist right mainly caused by economic hardship?
Some economists argue that stagnating wages, housing costs and inequality drive populist voting. Others argue cultural concerns and immigration debates play a larger role. Many analysts believe both factors interact.
Why did Australia experience a delayed version of this trend?
Australia avoided the worst impacts of the Global Financial Crisis due to strong economic stimulus, a mining boom and superannuation capital flows. As a result, the economic pressures linked to populist voting appeared later.
Do social media algorithms influence political polarisation?
Many researchers believe social media platforms amplify emotionally charged content. This can reward outrage-driven political messaging and contribute to polarisation within political communities.