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Writer's picturestavroula koskina

Populism and Political Nostalgia: The Psychological Dynamics of Voter Mobilization

Introduction


Political nostalgia has emerged as a powerful tool in modern populist movements, influencing voter behavior and societal dynamics. Rooted in collective memory, nostalgic appeals frame the past as a golden age, contrasting it with a troubled present and uncertain future. Such rhetoric has become a cornerstone of populist narratives, evoking sentiments that resonate deeply with voters across ideological and cultural contexts. However, nostalgia is not merely a benign longing for the past; it is a potent political mechanism that shapes collective identity, amplifies polarization and distorts historical realities. This article examines the psychological mechanisms underlying political nostalgia, its role in populist rhetoric, and its implications across diverse cultural and political contexts. By critically analyzing theoretical insights and empirical studies, it aims to uncover the complexities of nostalgia's influence on contemporary politics.


The Role of Nostalgia in Populism


Populist leaders frequently evoke nostalgia to construct narratives of moral and cultural decline. Nostalgic rhetoric frames a selective, often idealized past as a benchmark against which the present is found lacking (Mudde, 2017). For instance, Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” symbolized a longing for an undefined era of prosperity and unity, fostering a shared identity among his supporters (Hochschild, 2016). Similarly, the Brexit campaign’s call to "take back control" invoked a romanticized vision of British sovereignty, appealing to older generations who felt alienated by globalization and the European Union (Kenny, 2017).


In populist rhetoric, nostalgia serves two key functions. First, it unifies a political base around a shared vision of the past, creating a sense of belonging and moral superiority. Second, it delegitimizes political opponents by portraying them as agents of societal decline or threats to this idealized order. This dichotomy of “us” versus “them” not only reinforces ingroup cohesion but also exacerbates polarization. For example, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France often invokes nostalgia for a culturally homogenous nation to resist immigration and multiculturalism, portraying these as existential threats to French identity (Wodak, 2015).


Figure 1: Pop Nostalgia Portraits (PNP), Mario Romoda

Psychological Mechanisms of Nostalgia


Nostalgia as a Coping Mechanism


By invoking cherished memories of stability and coherence, nostalgia provides psychological comfort, especially when individuals face existential threats or cultural anxiety (Routledge et al., 2011). Populist leaders capitalize on this tendency, offering simplistic narratives that link personal struggles to systemic decline. By blaming external forces—such as globalization, immigration, or elite corruption—they present themselves as champions of a return to the idealized past (Mols & Jetten, 2017).


Social Identity and Nostalgia


Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986) explains how nostalgia reinforces group identity, particularly when these identities are perceived as under threat. Nostalgic appeals resonate in contexts where globalization and cultural change disrupt traditional social structures. By idealizing past group status, nostalgia fosters ingroup cohesion while demonizing outgroups, portraying them as threats to cultural or moral values. For example, in India, Hindu nationalist rhetoric often evokes a golden age of Hindu civilization, positioning religious minorities and secular elites as obstacles to national renewal (Jaffrelot, 2021).


Temporal Comparison and Loss Aversion


Temporal comparison theory suggests that individuals assess their well-being by comparing the present to the past (Albert, 1977). Nostalgic appeals amplify dissatisfaction with the present by highlighting perceived losses, such as declining cultural values or economic opportunities. Loss aversion, a principle in behavioral economics, intensifies this effect by making individuals more motivated to avoid losses than to seek equivalent gains (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979). Populist rhetoric exploits this bias by framing progress as decline, creating a sense of urgency to reclaim what has been “lost.”


Nostalgia’s Role in Political Polarization


While nostalgia can foster unity within a political base, it often deepens societal divides by creating rigid ingroup-outgroup distinctions. Both right-wing and left-wing populist movements use nostalgia to frame societal conflicts as zero-sum games. For example, right-wing movements like Trump’s MAGA or Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz invoke cultural nostalgia to resist immigration, portraying it as a threat to national identity. On the other hand, left-wing movements like Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution leverage economic nostalgia, idealizing pre-globalization welfare policies to critique neoliberalism (Hameleers et al., 2017).


Research by Reicher and Haslam (2016) highlights how nostalgic rhetoric can activate authoritarian tendencies, increasing hostility toward perceived outsiders. This dynamic polarizes societies, as opposing groups become entrenched in mutually exclusive visions of the past. For instance, in Turkey, Erdoğan’s invocation of Ottoman nostalgia alienates secular and Kurdish populations, intensifying political and cultural divides (Yilmaz & Morieson, 2022).

Figure 2: Pop Nostalgia Portraits (PNP), Mario Romoda

Case Studies of Nostalgia in Politics


The United States: “Make America Great Again”

Donald Trump’s presidency epitomizes the use of nostalgia as a mobilizing tool. His rhetoric idealized the mid-20th century as an era of American greatness, marked by industrial prosperity and cultural homogeneity. This selective memory resonated with white, working-class voters who felt marginalized by economic globalization and social liberalism (Gest, 2016). However, this narrative ignored systemic inequalities, such as racial segregation and gender discrimination, offering a distorted view of American history.


The United Kingdom: Brexit and Sovereignty

The Brexit campaign leveraged nostalgia for a pre-EU Britain, emphasizing sovereignty, tradition, and imperial glory (Clarke et al., 2017). This rhetoric appealed to older voters who associated EU membership with economic decline and cultural erosion. By framing the EU as a symbol of bureaucratic overreach, Brexit leaders fostered a narrative of national decline that could only be reversed by reclaiming independence.


Turkey: Ottoman Nostalgia

Under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ottoman nostalgia has become a central theme in Turkish politics. This narrative idealizes the empire’s Islamic heritage and geopolitical dominance, serving to legitimize Erdoğan’s authoritarian governance and expansionist foreign policies (Yilmaz & Morieson, 2022). However, this rhetoric marginalizes secular, Kurdish, and other minority groups, deepening societal divisions and undermining democratic institutions.


India: Hindu Nationalism


In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) frequently invokes nostalgia for a golden age of Hindu civilization. This narrative positions India’s colonial history and secular policies as periods of decline, contrasting them with an idealized vision of a unified, Hindu-majority nation. Such rhetoric has fueled tensions between religious communities, exacerbating polarization and violence (Jaffrelot, 2021).


Figure 3: Pop Nostalgia Portraits (PNP), Mario Romoda

  

Countering Divisive Nostalgia: Policy Implications


Addressing the challenges posed by political nostalgia requires a multi-faceted approach that combines education, dialogue, and inclusivity. Promoting historical literacy through curricula that highlight the complexities and contradictions of history can counteract the oversimplifications of nostalgic rhetoric, fostering a nuanced understanding of the past. Simultaneously, political leaders should inspire optimism by emphasizing achievable goals and framing the future as a source of hope rather than fear, reducing the psychological allure of nostalgic longing. Initiatives that encourage intergenerational and cross-cultural dialogue, such as public forums, cultural exchanges, and collaborative projects, can bridge divides and promote societal cohesion. Additionally, empowering marginalized voices by amplifying their experiences within historical narratives challenges exclusionary nostalgic visions and fosters a more equitable and inclusive society. Together, these strategies can help counteract the divisive potential of political nostalgia while promoting unity and progress.


To mitigate nostalgia's divisive potential, societies must foster critical engagement with history. This requires challenging idealized narratives and encouraging inclusive accounts that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives. Educational initiatives, public discourse, and cultural productions can play a crucial role in promoting nuanced understandings of the past, ensuring that nostalgia does not become a vehicle for exclusion or manipulation. Similarly, leadership that emphasizes collective progress over regression is vital. Leaders who acknowledge the value of heritage while focusing on innovation, equity, and forward-thinking policies can harness nostalgia's emotional resonance without succumbing to its distortions, while in an era marked by rapid technological change, climate crises, and geopolitical instability, nostalgia will remain a potent force in shaping political discourse. However, its impact can be tempered through deliberate efforts to reconcile the past with the present and future. By balancing reverence for tradition with an openness to evolution, societies can address the allure of nostalgia while avoiding its pitfalls. Ultimately, the key lies in recognizing nostalgia not as an enemy but as a complex phenomenon that, if understood and managed thoughtfully, can contribute to resilience, unity, and progress.


Conclusion


Political nostalgia serves as a double-edged sword in the realm of contemporary politics. It offers individuals psychological comfort and a sense of identity by reconnecting them with a perceived golden age. However, this powerful force carries the inherent risk of distorting historical realities, romanticizing the past, and exacerbating societal divides. Understanding the mechanisms by which political nostalgia operates—psychologically, culturally, and politically—is essential for navigating its pervasive influence in an era characterized by uncertainty and rapid change. Nostalgia often emerges in response to feelings of disorientation, alienation, or insecurity. At a psychological level, it serves as a coping mechanism, providing individuals with a sense of stability and continuity when faced with societal upheavals. By evoking memories of a seemingly simpler or more virtuous past, nostalgia taps into the universal human desire for coherence and belonging. It fills a void left by modernity's disruptions, offering a balm to those grappling with the complexities of globalization, technological advancement, and cultural pluralism. Yet, the comfort nostalgia provides often comes at a cost: it simplifies history, selectively omitting inconvenient truths and glorifying an idealized version of the past that may never have existed.


Culturally, political nostalgia manifests in various forms, from calls to "Make America Great Again" to movements yearning for the "golden age" of empires, religions, or national independence. These narratives leverage shared memories or myths, transforming them into powerful tools for mobilization. For many, these nostalgic visions evoke a sense of pride and identity, offering a framework through which people interpret current challenges. Yet, these cultural constructs can deepen societal divides, creating in-groups and out-groups based on who is deemed part of the "authentic" community. In some cases, nostalgic appeals reinforce exclusionary ideologies, casting minorities, immigrants, or those with differing values as threats to the imagined past's purity. Politically, nostalgia has proven to be a potent rhetorical device, enabling leaders to channel public discontent and rally support. Politicians often use nostalgic narratives to justify regressive policies, framing them as a return to foundational values or traditions. By appealing to shared memories or grievances, they can galvanize collective action while diverting attention from structural issues. However, this reliance on nostalgia carries risks: it can erode trust in democratic institutions, foster populist backlash, and undermine efforts to build inclusive, future-oriented societies. Moreover, nostalgia's tendency to idealize the past can inhibit progress by discouraging critical engagement with contemporary challenges and alternatives.


As we move forward, it is imperative to cultivate a mindset that values critical reflection and inclusivity. Only by doing so can we navigate nostalgia's influence effectively, ensuring it serves as a source of inspiration rather than division. In this way, the past becomes not a place to retreat but a foundation upon which to build a more equitable and dynamic future.



Bibliographical References

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Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2011). The past makes the present meaningful. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(3), 638–652. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024292


Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., & Baden, D. (2008). Nostalgia: Past, present, and future. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(5), 304–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00595.x


Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 7–24). Nelson-Hall.


Wodak, R. (2015). The politics of fear: What right-wing populist discourses mean. Sage.


Yilmaz, I., & Morieson, N. (2022). Ottoman nostalgia and populism in Turkey. Turkish Studies, 23(2), 167–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2021.1956133




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