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Exploring the Relationship between Feelings of Insecurity, Distrust in the Government and Support for Populism : A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of German Youth After Recent Terror Attacks
Knoechlein, Lena (2025) Exploring the Relationship between Feelings of Insecurity, Distrust in the Government and Support for Populism : A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of German Youth After Recent Terror Attacks.
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| Abstract: | This research investigates the research question: To what extent do feelings of insecurity caused by terror attacks stimulate young people to distrust the government and support populist parties? In order to answer that question, four sub-questions are applied that deal with sources of distrust in the government, feelings of insecurity due to terror attacks, the resulting impact on trust in the government, and factors stimulating support for populism. These sub-questions were answered by analysing existing literature and conducting interviews. Based on existing literature, it was suspected that feelings of insecurity caused by terror attacks decrease young people’s trust in the government and increase support for populism. The main findings were that, in general, there is a feeling of insecurity due to the attacks among the German youth, which is a factor driving the decrease in trust in the government. Furthermore, while factors influencing declining trust in the government overlap with those increasing support for populism, emotional and moral motivations are especially important drivers of populist support. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 70 social sciences in general, 88 social and public administration, 89 political science |
| Programme: | Management Society and Technology BSc (56654) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107562 |
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