Uncertainty, Nativism, and the Politics of Withdrawal: Labor Market Insecurity and Far-Right Support in Europe

What explains the link between labor market insecurity and support for far-right parties in Europe? Prevailing theories suggest that far-right parties appeal to economically insecure individuals by capitalizing on concerns related to globalization, labor market shifts, and trade shocks. While existing research focuses on material self-interest and status considerations, this paper proposes a complementary mechanism centered on psychological disaffection. It argues that labor market insecurity fosters feelings of uncertainty and lack of control, which lower identification with social identities and reinforce nativist attitudes. The analysis combines cross-sectional survey data with original panel data from Italy, and shows that labor market insecurity is associated with higher economic uncertainty, nativist sentiment, political withdrawal and far-right support, alongside lower group identification. The findings highlight the importance of non-material responses to economic insecurity and offer a psychological dimension of the effects of labor market insecurity on far-right support.