Is the Rise of the Right Cultural? (Part 2) | GIRT EP 003
In this episode of GIRT, Owen Rees and Ethan Urch examine the second major explanation behind one of the defining political questions of the 2020s: why are right-wing populist movements rising across Western democracies?
From the United States to Australia, this episode shifts the focus from economics to culture — exploring whether the surge is being driven by identity, immigration, and deeper social anxieties.
Across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, populist right parties have gained momentum. But if it’s not just economics — what else is going on?
In Part 2 of GIRT, Owen and Ethan unpack the cultural and technological explanations:
Cultural anxiety - fears around identity, immigration and social change
Political framing - how different leaders (like Bernie Sanders vs Joe Biden) interpret the moment
Media and algorithms - how social media may be amplifying division and rewarding outrage
The conversation explores whether cultural issues are masking deeper economic causes — or whether they represent a distinct and more difficult challenge altogether.
It also examines how modern media systems, particularly short-form content and algorithm-driven platforms, may be reshaping political behaviour in ways we don’t yet fully understand.
Rather than offering simple answers, this episode tests the limits of each explanation — and asks whether culture, more than economics, may define the next phase of politics.
What you’ll learn:
Why immigration dominates cultural political debates
The difference between economic and cultural explanations for populism
How Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden represent two different political strategies
The role of social media algorithms in shaping political views
What “cultural anxiety” actually means in practice
Whether economic solutions can resolve cultural division
Why nuance struggles to survive in the attention economy
FAQ
What is right-wing populism?
Right-wing populism is a political approach that frames society 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 about culture?
Many analysts argue that cultural concerns, including immigration, identity and social change, are central to the rise of populist movements. Others suggest these concerns are often intertwined with economic pressures. In practice, both factors tend to overlap.
What is meant by “cultural anxiety”?
Cultural anxiety refers to a sense of unease about rapid social change — including shifts in identity, demographics, values or national cohesion. In politics, this can shape how voters respond to issues like immigration, diversity and social norms.
How does social media influence political views?
Social media platforms often prioritise emotionally engaging content. This can amplify more extreme or polarising viewpoints, reinforce existing beliefs, and make it harder for nuanced or moderate perspectives to gain attention.
Can economic solutions resolve cultural division?
Improving living standards may reduce some political tensions, but cultural divisions are often rooted in identity, history and perception. As a result, economic reform alone may not fully address these challenges.
Why does modern politics feel more polarised?
The combination of cultural debate and algorithm-driven media can intensify political differences. Short-form, high-engagement content often rewards simple, emotionally charged messages over more complex or balanced discussions.