Put your action where your mouth is: the relationship between populist attitudes and political participation in Portugal

Abstract

In this article, the relationship between populist attitudes and conventional and unconventional forms of political participation in Portugal is explored. The data analysis allows us to conclude that these attitudes are linked to a greater likelihood of party affiliation as well as expressive and nonpartisan modes of participation such as association membership, demonstrations, petition signing, and purchasing or boycotting products and services for political, ethical or environmental reasons. On the other hand, populist attitudes are not related to instances of extreme unconventional participation such as blocking roads or railway lines, occupying buildings or factories and damaging public spaces.