Workshop on Populism

The Doctoral Program in International Studies at ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences, in cooperation with the Department of Human Rights and Politics, cordially invites you to the following workshop:

Date: 5 May 2026
Time: 15:00–18:00
Location: Room 2.61

Online participation is also available: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/312901922340151?p=t9XtGFQXsqXVhXSCYH

Session I (15:00–16:00)

Chair: Anna Ujlaki (ELTE TÁTK)

• Daniel Ternyik (ELTE TÁTK)
  Social Work Professionalism in Times of Populism: Clashes Between Ethical Codes and Right-Wing Ideologies
• Aadi Rajesh (ELTE TÁTK)
  Populism, Caste, and Hindu Nationalism in India

Keynote Lecture (16:00–17:30)

Maurice Adams (Tilburg Law School)
Populism in Europe: The Case of the Netherlands

In this presentation, based on a draft paper written by Maurice Adams (Tilburg Law) and Ronald Janse (Maastricht Law), the emergence and impact of populism in the Netherlands is explored, where populist parties have become a significant part of the political landscape over the last two decades. Despite holding one-third of parliamentary seats, these parties have had a modest direct influence on legislation due to the Dutch political tradition, which typically necessitates compromise and consensus. Nonetheless, populist parties, particularly the Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders, have effectively shaped political discourse, especially concerning issues like asylum and immigration (which provokes the question to what extend regular democrats that are also employing populist tactics, can be considered part of the populist family). Dutch populism is moreover embedded in a British style type of constitutionalism, with a strong reliance on parliamentary decision-making without judicial constitutional review of legislation. The rise of populism has strained the traditional Dutch political culture of compromise and consensus, indicating a potential shift away from these long-standing practices.

Chair: Kriszta Kovács (ELTE TÁTK)

Introductory remarks by Gábor Attila Tóth (Semmelweis University and University of Debrecen)