HPS³ Lecture: Giorgio Malet on "The Globalization Backlash in Rural Areas"

27. Mai 2026, 17:00 Uhr

Foto: Vera Leysinger/SWI swissinfo.ch (mit freundlicher Genehmigung)

Bildquelle: Benjamin von Wyl, Vor den Europawahlen: «Seit dem Brexit kann die Schweiz nicht mehr Rosinen picken», swissinfo.ch, 03.06.2024 (https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/demokratie/vor-den-europawahlen-seit-dem-brexit-kann-die-schweiz-nicht-mehr-rosinen-picken/79123707)

As part of the Hamburg Political Science Seminar Series – HPS³, Giorgio Malet (ETH Zürich) will talk about the globalization backlash in rural areas, with a focus on price shocks, far right support, and the limits of agricultural subsidies.

When? May 27, 2026, 17:15 - 18:45 CET

Where? Von-Melle-Park 9, Room B130 (staircase B), University of Hamburg. 

In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing backlash against globalization, yet the policy responses to this shift remain poorly understood. This paper examines how economic volatility shapes political behavior in rural farming areas and whether redistributive policies can moderate its effects. We argue that sharp declines in the prices of locally produced agricultural goods increase support for radical right parties among rural residents, reflecting a shift toward protectionist preferences. We test this argument in France (2008-2022) using a shift-share instrument that leverages global commodity price trends and local production patterns to identify the causal effect of agricultural price shocks on electoral outcomes. We then assess the moderating role of farmers' subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). We find that while CAP funding helps cushion economic insecurity, it does not fully offset the political consequences of price declines. An original survey of 1,542 farmers and follow-up interviews show that place-based grievances and perceived status loss are strongly correlated with concerns about price declines, underscoring the limits of redistribution alone. The study contributes to debates on the political fallout of globalization by demonstrating that effective responses must address both the economic and cultural dimensions of rural discontent.

Please find the seminar program on the HPS³ website. Everyone interested is invited to attend, a registration is not necessary.