Fulltext

Measuring Populist Attitudes on Three Dimensions

Schulz, Anne ; Müller, Philipp ; Schemer, Christian ; Wirz, Dominique Stefanie ; Wettstein, Martin ; Wirth, Werner

In: International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2018, vol. 30, no. 2, p. 316-326

Ajouter à la liste personnelle
    Titre
    • Measuring Populist Attitudes on Three Dimensions
    Auteur
    • Schulz, Anne. Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich, Switzerland
    • Müller, Philipp. Department of Communication; Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
    • Schemer, Christian. Department of Communication; Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
    • Wirz, Dominique Stefanie. Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich, Switzerland
    • Wettstein, Martin. Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich, Switzerland
    • Wirth, Werner. Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2018, vol. 30, no. 2, p. 316-326. Oxford University Press
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:332171
    Summary
    Theoretically, populism has been conceptualized as a political ideology with three sub-dimensions: anti-elitism attitudes, a preference for popular sovereignty, and a belief in the homogeneity and virtuousness of the people. However, empirical research to date has treated populist attitudes as a unidimensional construct. To address this issue, we propose to conceptualize populist attitudes as a latent higher-order construct with three distinct first-order dimensions. A 12-item inventory was developed using two survey studies conducted in Switzerland in 2014 and 2015. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the construct validity of this measure of populist attitudes. The measurement that is proposed allows for a fine-grained study of populist attitudes in the general public.