Abstract: Two of the largest democracies in the global south—India and Brazil—have witnessed a dramatic turn to right-wing populism. A careful historical comparison reveals that the form of reaction is markedly different from other recent cases of democratic backsliding. In both cases, the reaction has been driven by elites in response to a previous expansion of democratic rights and social inclusion. This form of retrenchment populism is rooted in similar class realignments configured by economic and socio-cultural interests. Globalization has played a role, but not through the conventionally identified pathways of neo-liberalism or modernization. Instead, the reaction has been driven by an expanded middle class’ efforts to hoard opportunity and public resources and preserve traditional status privileges.

Speaker: Patrick Heller, Professor of Sociology; International and Public Affairs at Brown University