This thesis examines how partisanship with populist parties (PPs) and populist radical right (PRR) parties (PRRPs) influences support for democracy over time, using longitudinal panel data from the...Show moreThis thesis examines how partisanship with populist parties (PPs) and populist radical right (PRR) parties (PRRPs) influences support for democracy over time, using longitudinal panel data from the Netherlands (LISS) and within-between regression analysis. Parties are categorised along a nativist-authoritarian dimension, ranging from “thin” PPs to “thick” PRRPs. Focusing on partisanship—measured through high party ratings (PRs)—it explores two key questions: (1) Do initial levels of support for democracy vary by partisanship? (2) How does partisanship affect support for democracy differently over time? It is hypothesised that support for democracy decreases along the nativist-authoritarian dimension, with lower levels of support both initially and longitudinally as a party adopts more pronounced nativist-authoritarian traits. The findings show that initial levels of support for democracy are lower among populist partisans and lowest among PRR partisans when compared to mainstream partisans. Over time, the effects diverge: populist partisans are associated with a gradual increase, while PRR partisans exhibit a significant decrease in support for democracy. These contrasting trends underscore the corrosive influence of PRR partisanship on support for democracy and the potential for “thin” populism to positively re-engage disaffected citizens. By highlighting the dynamic and party-specific effects of partisanship, this thesis contributes to broader debates on the relationship between populism and democracy, offering a nuanced perspective on how different partisanships influence support for democracy over time.Show less
This thesis employs Robert Putnam’s concept of foreign pressure (“suasive reverberation”) to analyze the battle in the US Congress over the 2015 Iran nuclear accords. Drawing on the public...Show moreThis thesis employs Robert Putnam’s concept of foreign pressure (“suasive reverberation”) to analyze the battle in the US Congress over the 2015 Iran nuclear accords. Drawing on the public statements of key players, journalistic sources, and the congressional record, I contend that the most important factor in determining whether undecided lawmakers voted for or against the agreement was lobbying by other states. Specifically, the survival of the deal can be credited to appeals from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as to a lesser degree from Russia and China. Working in close conjunction with the Obama Administration, representatives of these states successfully pressured wavering members of Congress to support the agreement. I also argue that, counter-intuitively, the government of Israel’s suasive reverberation in opposition to the Iran accords probably contributed to the deal’s survival. The methods and rhetoric used in Israel’s lobbying were perceived as partisan and sparked a backlash among Democratic members of Congress, leading them to close ranks and vote to approve the deal. Through examination of these divergent outcomes, this paper provides empirical support for the importance of suasive reverberation and sheds light on the conditions underlying its use, success, and failure.Show less
