Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
20 minutes
College
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Department
Political Science, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Nathan Griffith
Metadata/Fulltext
Fulltext
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Since the end of World War II, young people of Western Liberal Democracies have generally leaned left, holding views of reform, social progression, and policies that lead to a general increase in quality of life through social programs (Universal healthcare, food programs, public housing, etc). With unprecedented economic security, many people, especially younger ones, refocused their priorities away from ones of survival through strict authority and toward left-liberal positions of individual autonomy, civil rights, and redistribution of wealth and power. This trend continued throughout the 20th century. However, as instability begins to plague Western Liberal Democracies in the 21st century, many countries have seen their populations begin to lean toward right-wing beliefs. In particular, young men have broken the nearly 80-year trend of holding left-leaning beliefs and are moving toward right-wing populist ideologies. This is in contrast to their young female peers, who continue to lean left in similar numbers to past generations. Research on right-wing populism is crucial to understanding the factors driving this recent significant shift in young men’s political beliefs, in particular, key causes moving men toward populism characterized by right-wing ideology.
Recommended Citation
Lorgen, Oliver, "The Rise of Right-Wing Populism Among Young Men" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 1235.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/1235
Comments
The thesis submitted is unfinished.