Resurgent Far-Right Populism in Romania

Camil Ungureanu is Serra Húnter Associate Professor, Department of Political and Social Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain.Mihaela Mihai is Professor of Political Theory, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, UK.

“The book offers a rigorous and timely account of Romania’s far-right resurgence, tracing its material, ideational, and affective roots with analytical depth and clarity. By connecting institutional fragility, socio-economic transformation, and territorially differentiated patterns of discontent, it illuminates a broader democratic crisis at Europe’s Eastern periphery.”Cristian Pîrvulescu, The National School of Social and Administrative Studies, Bucharest“A timely and insightful contribution to far-right studies, this book combines deep contextual understanding with a sophisticated analysis of the interaction between economic and cultural dynamics. By focusing on the under-explored Romanian case, it offers important new perspectives on the diversity and evolution of the far right across Europe.”Sofia Vasilopoulou, Professor of European Politics, King’s College London“This remarkable book combines detailed empirical research with rigorous conceptual analysis to explain the rise of the far right in Romania within the broader European context. Drawing on a transdisciplinary perspective inspired by world-systems analysis, it challenges culturalist and liberal myths about Eastern European immobility and authoritarianism. Written in a crisp and engaging style, it offers a timely and original intervention into current political debates. A timely and essential reading for scholars of European history, sociology, political science, intellectual history, populism studies, and political theory.”Benoit Challand, Professor and Chair of Sociology, The New School for Social Research

• 1. The Far Right in the Post-Communist Space: An Integrative Approach 2. The Stuff of Dreams 3. Post-Communist Ideological Horizons: Mapping the Religious and Intellectual Fields 4. A “Conservative Revolution” with an Anti-Colonial Twist: The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) 5. Călin Georgescu’s Chameleonic Messianism: The Return of Fascism 6. Far-right Women’s Leadership: Between Carnival Populism and Authoritarian Liberalism 7. Epilogue. Democratic Hope in Anti-Democratic Times