Over the past few months, I have dedicated much of my time to understanding the rise of right-wing populism in Europe. What started as a research project, the Center for Faith, Identity, and Globalization, has become a deep and personal exploration. As a German-born daughter of Korean immigrants, I have always been aware of the dynamics of identity, belonging, and exclusion in Europe. Now, I have delved deeper into the political and social forces, tracking how populism shapes everything from EU policy to everyday life.
After months of analyzing data, reading endless articles, and pouring over public opinion polls, I have realized that populism is not just about politics; it is about people and their fears, frustrations, and hopes. My research has taken me to unexpected places – discovering how populism uses migration, religion, and national identity to create division and, more importantly, how it manipulates emotions to gain support.
One of the most significant steps in my research journey was conducting interviews with professionals across Europe and the U.S. These individuals – from policy analysts to experts in international relations and interfaith dialogue- gave me firsthand insights into how populism plays out on the ground. Their perspectives revealed the real-world effects of populist rhetoric, which can be hard to grasp through research alone. While I will keep their identities private, their knowledge is invaluable.
What struck me the most during these conversations was that populism is not just a passing trend. It is a growing force that challenges the very fabric of the European Union (EU) and, sometimes, threatens to unravel the unity that the EU was built upon. One topic that kept resurfacing throughout my research and conversations was the impact of migration on populist movements. In Europe, migration is often at the center of right-wing populist rhetoric. As I learned, the EU’s approach to migration – especially after the 2015 refugee crisis – has played right into the hands of these populist movements. The EU has struggled to find a cohesive, long-term solution to the issue, and the political debates around border control and migration have only fueled the flames of populism.
I remember one professional from a think tank in Washington, DC, explaining how certain EU countries are “externalizing” the migration issue – pushing the problem to other countries or regions outside the EU. While this might seem like a quick fix, it is short-sighted and only feeds into the narrative that migrants are a threat, which populists use to their advantage. It made me think about how leaders often fail to address the real issues behind migration – economic instability, war, and corruption in migrants’ home countries – opting instead for reactive measures that stoke fear.
Beyond migration, I have also delved into the role of religion and identity in shaping populist narratives. Many right-wing populist leaders use religion, particularly Christianity, as a tool to define who belongs and who does not. An interfaith expert told me that this use of religion is not really about faith but more about creating a cultural divide. It is a tactic that appeals to people’s sense of identity and security. Muslims, in particular, have been targeted by populist rhetoric, much like how Jews were scapegoated in Europe’s past. These parallels between past and present discrimination have become a crucial part of my research, and they serve as a stark reminder of how dangerous these narratives can be.
The EU itself faces challenges in addressing these issues, particularly when it comes to expanding its membership. The ongoing debate about bringing countries like Ukraine and Moldova into the EU is complicated by the rise of populism. As I have learned from an academic focusing on this field, right-wing populist governments could stand in the way of future enlargement. There is a fear that these governments will resist integration, pushing for more national sovereignty and less EU influence. The EU must navigate this carefully to continue growing while maintaining unity.
As I conclude my research, I am left with a nuanced understanding of populism that goes beyond political rallies and headlines, revealing how people’s fears and frustrations fuel movements that reshape nations and regions. This journey has been both eye-opening and personal, given my immigrant background and European experience. There is still much work to be done both in my research and the real world. It is not just about facts and figures; it is about understanding how these political movements affect real people, people like me, my family, and countless others across Europe. Through this process, I have developed a deeper appreciation for Europe’s challenges and the resilience of those striving to build bridges rather than walls, hoping that a better understanding can prevent further harm and foster positive change.
Author: Joon Park