Identity and Memory in Nationalism, Irredentism, and Authoritarian Populism

Nationalism, irredentism, and authoritarian populism are among the defining political forces of our era — and they increasingly intertwine. Russia's war against Ukraine has demonstrated the destructive potential of irredentist nationalism; across Europe and the world, authoritarian populist parties and leaders mobilize national identity, historical grievance, and territorial imagination to build support, capture institutions, and challenge liberal-democratic norms. Yet these phenomena are not new, their roots run deep in political history. This panel examines the connections among nationalism, irredentism, and authoritarian populism in comparative and historical perspective. Papers may address the identity foundations of nationalist and irredentist claims, including collective memory, national myths, and narratives of lost territory or past greatness; the psychological appeal of authoritarian populism, from authoritarian dispositions and status threat to nostalgia and resentment; the historical lineages and transformations through which formerly stigmatized nationalist forces achieved mainstream acceptance and, in some cases, power; the conditions under which nationalist rhetoric escalates into irredentist foreign policy or armed conflict; and the consequences of these dynamics for democratic institutions and international order. Comparative contributions across regions, regime types, and historical periods are especially welcome, as are studies combining elite- and mass-level analysis.