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Abstract
In this article, we introduce the concept of substate populism to account for dynamics in which populist speech is used to critique national elites for harming the interests of the ‘pure’ local people. We also identify three preconditions for substate populism: decentralisation, pre-existing resentment or anxiety, and the capacity to dominate the local narrative. We explore the concept through a comparison of the frames used by Narendra Modi while serving as the chief minister of the state of Gujarat in India and Melis Myrzakmatov while serving as the mayor of Osh, Kyrgyzstan. We demonstrate that in both cases Modi and Myrzakmatov utilised substate populism following deadly ethnic riots to articulate local resentments, maintain popular support, and delegitimise external efforts to promote post-conflict reconciliation. We argue that through eradicating at least one of the three identified preconditions, a national government can undermine substate populism.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Endnotes
Notes
2 Some notable research on Indian populism has been conducted, especially Subramanian (1999) and Kenny (2017).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Vera Heuer
VERA HEUER is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute. Her research focuses on social mobilisation and the relationship between state actors and social movement organisations, and how these dynamics are framed in the public sphere in India and beyond.
Brent Hierman
BRENT HIERMAN is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute. He researches on issues related to comparative political economy, interethnic relations, and the politics of land reform. Brent has a special interest in the region of Post-Soviet Central Asia.