Call for Contributions: Many Faces of Populism

The current political rise of authoritarian populist regimes is posing a threat to democracies in various parts of the world. The support these regimes receive from significant segments of the public is the result of complex processes of political mobilization, which are driven by polarization and sustained by crises. Right-wing populism in particular appeals to the desire to restore an “authentic self,” allegedly lost through the hostile interference of an imagined cultural “Other” that must be confronted and defeated.

Alongside the promotion of traditional values and lifestyles (for example, through the “tradwife” phenomenon, which has gained international popularity), racism and anti-gender movements have contributed to the political mobilization of the so-called “political center.” Through these dynamics, attempts to curtail political rights are framed as matters of cultural politics. In this context, “gender” has become both a code word and a unifying force within these movements.

Building on these contemporary observations, this thematic issue seeks to explore historical and present-day forms of populism in Eastern Europe from the late nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. We welcome both analytical background articles and focused case studies that illuminate specific facets of populism. Contributions may, for example, center on the interpretation of a photograph, poster, film excerpt, or other artifact/object as a lens through which broader developments can be examined.

The aim is to present diverse populist movements and attitudes in Eastern Europe in a way that is accessible to a broad readership. We invite submissions addressing the region as a whole, including its transnational entanglements. Topics of particular interest include:

We invite the submission of proposals in a variety of formats and genres, ranging from introductory pieces aimed at a wider audience to in-depth analytical articles addressing specific research questions. The maximum length for submissions is 12,000 characters (including spaces). Other formats—for example, short portraits of historical figures, object-based narratives, or focused discussions of selected primary sources—may be considerably shorter (4,000–6,000 characters).

Contributions exceeding 10,000 characters will additionally be published on the Herder Institute’s publication server and assigned a DOI. All contributions published on the portal include a recommended citation format, permanent links, and licensing information.

All texts will be published bilingually and translated into English (if required, submissions may also be made in English and translated into German). Each contribution must include at least one compelling, high-resolution illustration, accompanied by a caption and confirmation that all necessary usage rights have been secured.

Submitted articles will undergo editorial review as part of an internal evaluation process. Authors retain full usage rights to their own texts. Further guidelines for contributors, including information on illustrations and keywords, are available on the portal or upon request at copernico@herder-institut.de. The principles of good academic practice apply.

This thematic focus is partly initialized and processed through Cost Action 23149 "Democratization at Stake? Comparing Anti-Gender Politics in CEE and NME". Respective texts will also be published as part of the action's dissemination and outreach activities (OERs).

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words, briefly outlining the proposed contribution, to copernico@herder-institut.de by April 23, 2026. You will be notified by May 22, 2026 whether your proposal has been accepted for inclusion in the thematic focus. The deadline for submitting the completed article is September 15, 2026. The review process will take place after this.