Populism and Political Disorder with Erik Jones

In this episode of the Vienna Coffee House Conversations podcast, host Ivan Vejvoda speaks with Erik Jones, director of the Schuman Center for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute in Florence. Covering the rise of populism, nationalism, and identitarian politics in Europe and beyond, Jones argues that the current political disorder is neither new nor exceptional, drawing parallels to historical periods of economic success followed by political unrest. He emphasizes the significant role of rising inequality and economic uncertainty in driving people away from mainstream parties toward populist alternatives.

Erik Jones is the Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute. Prior to this role, he was a Professor of European Studies and International Political Economy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He has authored numerous books including “The Oxford Handbook of the European Union” (2012) and “The Oxford Handbook of Italian Politics” (2015), is a co-editor of the journal “Government and Opposition” and a contributing editor for “Survival.” His academic and public commentary has appeared in major publications including the Financial Times and the New York Times. His research interests cover a broad range of topics in European politics and political economy, including the crises in the European Union and the political dynamics of European integration.