Paradox of choices : How do mainstream party systems respond to cultural basis of populist support?

This study explores the interactive effect of individual and institutional factors of public support for populist parties. Focusing on European countries, it investigates how multiplicity and variability of mainstream political parties moderate the effect of citizens’ grievances on their populist support. We hypothesize that while a more inclusive party system may decrease the effect of economic anxiety on populist support, it cannot mitigate the effect of cultural grievances related to immigration issues on populist support. Instead, it may amplify that effect. A comparative multilevel analysis of 22 European countries for a period of 15 years yields supportive findings for our hypothesis.