Displaced Worker Angst and Far Right Populism

Lambert, Thomas (2024): Displaced Worker Angst and Far Right Populism.

Abstract

This paper looks at how downward socio-economic mobility of displaced workers is fueling the rise of right-wing populism. After a review of relevant literature on worker displacement and angst follows an analysis of its implications for US politics. Data from government sources suggest that displacement has contributed to the deeply conservative populism. Finally, survey data demonstrate those who are more subject to bouts of unemployment are more likely to believe that immigrants take jobs away from US citizens and that “free” trade agreements are not good for the US.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: right-wing populism, working class angst, downward mobility, unemployment, underemployment
• Subjects: B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches > B5 - Current Heterodox Approaches > B50 - General; B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches > B5 - Current Heterodox Approaches > B52 - Institutional ; Evolutionary

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