Executive Summary

Populism’s rise has become a defining feature of the 21st-century geopolitical landscape, influencing global relations, trade policies, and the balance of power among nations. Research has consistently shown that populism possesses a dual nature - at times bolstering democratic vigor while at others provoking democratic erosion by undermining institutions. Dominant themes in contemporary research include the impact of populism on international trade, the interplay between talent migration and populism, and ramifications for global health and food security under populist regimes.

Studies like "Prudent Populists?" have indicated that anti-establishment populism can, in some contexts, optimize macroeconomic indicators in the short term. However, papers such as "Between the People and Power" caution that long-term commitment to populist rhetoric risks democratic backsliding, particularly in emerging democracies. Research in "Political Representation Gaps and Populism" and "Populism as Moral Pressure" delves into how these movements reflect and exacerbate representational deficits, influencing policymaking.

In the field of international trade, "As Globalization Weakens, the Value of Cooperation Rises” highlights that despite protectionist trends, cooperation remains vital for confronting global challenges, while "Great Powers, Geopolitics, and the Future of Trade" emphasizes the reshaping of global economic landscapes due to power shifts and the rise of economic nationalism. In terms of global health, studies like "Predicting the Impact of Climate Change on Malaria" connect populism to policy responses impacting crucial long-term health issues.

Most recently, "The New Geopolitics of Global Talent" posits that nations are only beginning to compete for global talent, a competition likely to grow despite populist-driven immigration contention. This underscores the delicate balance between domestic sentiment and international strategy necessary to mediate the effects of populism on a global scale.

Research History

Populism's impact on global geopolitics has been an area of burgeoning interest over the past decade. Recent research has evolved from foundational analyses of populist movements' characteristics and ideologies to more granular examinations of their tangible impacts.

• "Prudent Populists?" by Michal Brzezinski and Katarzyna Salach provides insights into how populist economic policies can yield positive short-term results, a counterpoint to the often negative characterization of populism's economic impact.
• The paper "Between the People and Power" by Md Nobir Hossain is valuable for understanding the relationship between populism and democratic backsliding. It presents a comprehensive examination of populism's role in contemporary politics and its destabilizing consequences for democracies.

Recent Advancements

Researchers continue to explore the multifaceted implications of populism on various sectors and the interplay between domestic politics and international relations.

• "The New Geopolitics of Global Talent" by Aparna Bharadwaj and others considers the rising strategic value of nurturing and attracting top-tier talent, signifying a shift in geopolitical competition beyond traditional economic and military indices.
• "Great Powers, Geopolitics, and the Future of Trade" by Priscille Arbour et al. explores the geopolitical dynamics reshaping the global trade system, with a focus on the intersection of economic security and global supply chains.

Current Challenges

Challenges in current research include reconciling the heterogeneity of populist movements across different geopolitical entities, assessing the long-term sustainability of populist policies, and mapping the indirect consequences of these movements such as cultural and social impact.

• "As Globalization Weakens, the Value of Cooperation Rises" by Eric Sullivan and others addresses the challenge of fostering global cooperation in the face of rising protectionism and the weakening of international institutions under populist governance.
• Anja Thomas's "Populism as Moral Pressure" proposes a more nuanced conceptualization of populism's impact on public policymaking, highlighting the struggle for scholars to capture informal power dynamics shaped by populist ideology.

Conclusions

The impact of populism on global geopolitical relations remains a multifaceted and evolving research area. Recent scholarship has underscored the capacity of populist movements to generate both economic growth and political instability. Growth in trade protectionism and shifts in global economic power reflect the substantial influence of populist governance on the international stage. Yet, the complexities of populist impacts are evident in divergent experiences across nations and domains. The enduring challenge lies in deciphering the nuanced effects of populism—particularly in realms such as talent migration, health policies, and food security—and crafting responses that preserve democratic institutions while fostering necessary international collaboration.