As populist movements, parties and leaders gain support across the world, this book combines theoretical innovation, methodological rigour and detailed empirical case studies to explain this phenomenon. "This pioneering volume is the first collection of empirical, mostly comparative, studies of populism at the elite and mass level, which is truly grounded in the increasingly dominant ideational approach. It should be required reading for both the few old and the many new scholars of populism." Cas Mudde, Stanley Wade Shelton UGAF Professor, University of Georgia, USA "This volume is sure to be a landmark in the comparative study of populism. It brings together a team of scholars who share an ideational approach to the study of populism, and it demonstrates how this approach lends itself to a wide range of methodological tools -both quantitative and qualitative -to empirically analyze populist ideas in elite political discourse and mass beliefs. In so doing, it brings much-needed analytical coherence to a field of study where scholars too often disagree on fundamental concepts and speak past one another." Kenneth M. Roberts, Richard J. Schwartz Professor, Cornell University, USA "The Ideational Approach to Populism is a timely and compelling book that takes seriously the ideology and appeals of populist movements. Its rigorous and compelling analyses of populism range from Latin American party manifestoes, to episodes of historical populist mobilization in Europe, to experimental evidence regarding the role of corruption as a catalyst for populist support. The result is a rich and multi-faceted volume that is a must-read for scholars of populism - and for others intrigued by the phenomenon." Anna Grzymala-Busse, Michelle and Kevin Douglass Professor, Political Science, Stanford, USA