Voter mobilisation in the echo chamber: Broadband internet and the rise of populism in Europe

@article{Schaub2020VoterMI,
  title={Voter mobilisation in the echo chamber: Broadband internet and the rise of populism in Europe},
  author={Max Schaub and Davide Morisi},
  journal={European Journal of Political Research},
  year={2020},
  volume={59},
  pages={752-773}
}
Can the diffusion of broadband internet help explain the recent success of populist parties in Europe? Populists cultivate an anti-elitist communication style, which, they claim, directly connects them with ordinary people. The internet therefore appears to be the perfect tool for populist leaders. This study shows that this notion holds up to rigorous empirical testing. Drawing on survey data from Italy and Germany, a positive correlation is found between use of the internet as a source of… 
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