Populism in Times of Crisis: The Importance of Internality-Externality and Conspiracy Beliefs for Populist Attitudes
Populism in Times of Crisis: The Importance of Internality-Externality and Conspiracy Beliefs for Populist Attitudes

Summary/Abstract: This scholarly article explores the antecedents of populist attitudes in Slovakia, focusing on the role of conspiracy beliefs, internality/externality (locus of control), and socio-demographic characteristics. Data from 1345 adult participants collected in three phases during and after the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using the Populist Attitudes Scale, the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale, and a custom COVID-19 conspiracy belief scale. Results showed that generic conspiracy beliefs, internal and external locus of control, gender, age, and education significantly predicted populist attitudes. COVID-19 specific conspiracy beliefs were not significant predictors. The study concludes that a general concept of conspiracy beliefs, rather than specific ones, better explains populist attitudes and suggests a complex interplay between psychological and socio-demographic factors influencing these attitudes. Further research is needed to investigate this complex relationship.

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