Business and Populism: The Odd Couple

This book examines the rise of populism as a global phenomenon and focuses on the role of business in these developments. Business is often targeted by populists as part of their anti-elite agenda, and the new political practices associated with the populist turn also challenge many traditional channels of business influence. The book argues that the role of business is of crucial importance for understanding populism, given the centrality of business as an economic and political actor. The volume analyses the effects of right-wing populism on business power and the strategies that business has adopted in response to these developments. It contains case studies of populism in a wide range of countries and thematic chapters that analyse policy areas affected by the populist turn. By building on the analytical framework and the extended typology of exit, voice and loyalty developed in the introduction, the volume highlights similarities and differences between countries and issue areas and analyses the complex dilemmas and trade-offs that businesses around the world face when engaging with populists.