Culture wars and the making of authoritarian populism: articulations of spatial division and popular consent

Abstract

Abstract:This article considers the relationship between culture wars and the politically divisive landscape being shaped by contemporary forms of right-wing populism. It argues that culture wars should be understood as a technique through which the current Conservative government is seeking to shape and secure forms of what Stuart Hall termed ‘authoritarian populism’. This mode of political intervention is being generated through mobilising particular spatial divisions and imaginaries. To develop this argument the article considers two particular elements within the culture-war discourse in Conservative politics, each of which depends on and mobilises different spatial divisions. The first section deals with the role of ‘Levelling Up’ discourses, while the second part explores the Tories’ increasing emphasis on ‘impunity’ for British soldiers.