A Master’s Thesis at Al-Nahrain University Discusses Populist Movements and Rising Political Power in Europe

The College of Political Sciences at Al-Nahrain University discussed a master’s thesis by student Yaqub Kazim Hadi, titled “Populist Movements and Rising Political Power in Europe: Selected Models”.

The thesis aims to study the phenomenon of populist movements in Europe as one of the most prominent structural transformations reshaping the political systems in the continent. It highlights the relationship between economic, social, and political variables and the change in the party and elite landscape within traditionally stable democratic environments.

The thesis also analyzes the responses of European public policies to populist demands and their impact on democratic institutions, providing a future perspective on the stability of political systems and their ability to contain these transformations.

The thesis included several key axes, including:

• Analyzing the factors driving the rise of populist movements in several European countries
• Studying the change in the party landscape in light of the emergence of new political forces or the rise of previously marginal parties
• Monitoring the impact of these transformations on public policies in areas such as immigration, economy, and national identity
• Identifying similarities and differences between European models in dealing with the populist phenomenon

The thesis concluded that populism has become a significant player in the European political scene, reshaping the balance of party power and forcing democratic systems to review their public policies. The study also found that European countries’ responses to this phenomenon vary depending on their political, economic, and social contexts.

The discussion committee consisted of:

• Prof. Dr. Hisham Hikmat Abdul-Sattar, Chairman
• Prof. Dr. Qasim Shoaib Abbas, Member
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Moutaz Ismail Khalaf, Member
• Prof. Dr. Saddam Abdul-Sattar Rashid, Member and Supervisor.