National Populism The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy

National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy examines the rise of national-populist movements across Western democracies, including Europe and the United States. Roger Eatwell and Matthew Goodwin argue that the trend cannot be explained by economic hardship alone; instead, it reflects deeper shifts in political trust, culture, identity, representation, and attachment to mainstream parties.

The authors frame their explanation around four long-term forces—the “Four Ds”: distrust of political elites, destruction of established communal identities, deprivation caused by uneven economic change, and de-alignment from traditional political parties. The book considers how these forces helped create public demand for politics that emphasise national sovereignty, cultural continuity, and opposition to distant elites.

Published by Pelican/Penguin Books in 2018, the paperback edition is 384 pages and has ISBN 9780241312001.