Does Populism Matter in EU-China Relations? The cases of Italy and Czechia

Jakimów, Malgorzata; Turcsanyi, Richard Q.; Boni, Filippo

Abstract

This article investigates whether populism affects foreign policy of EU member-states towards China and, if so, through what mechanisms. In order to answer this question we examine the cases of Italy and Czechia, both of which went through turbulent relations with China in the recent decade, while also experiencing several government changes between populist and non-populist parties. Our analysis reveals that while populist-led governments appeared to be more China-friendly than non-populist, the impact of populism is not direct, but mediated through other variables, namely thick ideology, economic pragmatism, and international positioning. We propose this model as a hypothesis for testing in future research. In addition, our findings suggest a need to rethink the relationship between thin-thick ideologies in the study of populism, and to emphasise the role of ‘economic pragmatism’ as mediating variable, which has been largely missing from the literature on populist foreign policy.

Citation

Jakimów, M., Turcsanyi, R. Q., & Boni, F. (in press). Does Populism Matter in EU-China Relations? The cases of Italy and Czechia. Journal of Common Market Studies,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 29, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Common Market Studies
• Print ISSN: 0021-9886
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2382808
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14685965