While there is a broad consensus in the social sciences that populism is a phenomenon based on a distinction between “the people” and “the elite”, there is disagreement on a wide range of analytical, methodological and normative issues. This research area is open to diverse perspectives on the scholarly study of populism, with a special interest in its connections to discussions about diversity and social cohesion in the age of globalization. With its many forms across the political spectrum, populism and its different representations of “the people” bear on key themes such as political and social pluralism, liberal and illiberal democracy, imaginaries of the nation and living-together, immigration and multi-interculturalism, and individual, social and economic rights.

Populisme, diversité et cohésion sociale
Populism is a topic that is highly debated. The concept creates tensions between popular sovereignty and the rule of law, while also promoting social cohesion and ethno-cultural diversity. This axe aims to explore the complex and multifaceted relationship between populism and liberal democracy in the 21st century.
Research axis
Director
• Efe Peker, Professeur agrégé, École d'études sociologiques et anthropologiques / École d'études politiques, Université d'Ottawa
Research Associates
- Audrey Gagnon, Assistant Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa
- Emily Laxer, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, York University
- Rémi Vivès, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, York University
- Frédéric Boily, Full Professor, University of Alberta
- Daniel Stockemer, Full Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa
- Roman Krakovsky, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and History, University of Ottawa
- Frédérick Guillaume Dufour, Full Professor, Département de sociologie, Université du Québec à Montréal