KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 15, 2025

Dr. Eric Castater, faculty member in the School of Government and International Affairs, has published a book with Dr. Kyung Joon Han titled Social Identity and Working Class Support for the Populist Radical Right, by Oxford University Press. 

The book tackles a pressing political question: Why are blue-collar workers in Western Europe increasingly drawn to the populist radical right? Traditional explanations point to economic hardship, cultural grievances, and political disillusionment. However, Castater and Han argue that these factors alone don’t fully explain why the working class despite experiencing economic decline chooses parties they align with culturally rather than economically. 

Drawing on social identity theory, the authors propose that adverse political and economic conditions heighten identity among working-class voters, making cultural issues more salient and thus increasing their support for the populist radical right. 

The authors share policy implications to counter this shift and suggest that governing parties should engage labor organizations in welfare reforms, adopt inclusive economic policies that benefit the broader working class, and address key inequalities affecting blue-collar communities. 

Dr. Castater’s work contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersections between identity, economics, and political alignment in modern democracies. For more information about the book and to place an order, please visit the Oxford University Press website. 

Congratulations, Dr. Castater!