Global anti-Immigration populism: paranoia or panacea?

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines the issue of anti-immigration populism as a communicative factor influencing internal political processes in the United States, Europe, and Russia. Research methods. The methodological basis of the research is the communicative approach in political science, which makes it possible to present anti-migration populism both as a constructed object in relation to which relations between different interest groups are built, and as a tactical tool for forming a communicative space. A comparative analysis of the use of anti-migration populist practices allows us to make significant generalizations regarding the global and national aspects of the phenomenon under consideration. Discussion. The use of the migration agenda by populists is analyzed. Using the example of the USA, Europe and Russia, the thesis is proved that anti-immigration rhetoric is used as a tool to mobilize the electorate. Survey data indicate that the dynamics of public sentiment towards migration is not directly related to actual migration flows. Populism turns migration into a symbol of the opposition of «friends» and «strangers», converting social anxiety into political capital. At the same time, the use of populism in such a socially sensitive issue can contribute to the political polarization of society, exacerbating contradictions and leading to conflicts both at the national and international levels. Conclusion. It is concluded that anti-immigration populism, although global in nature, is neither paranoia nor a panacea, but rather has a specific political significance as a tactical communicative tool for the struggle for the electorate in a competitive political struggle.