Not all crises are alike: Crisis concerns and anti-establishment attitudes in comparative perspective

This article examines the relationship between crisis concerns and conspiracy-related and populist attitudes, viewed as facets of anti-establishment sentiment. Research shows that crises can trigger fear, uncertainty, and loss of control, making individuals more receptive to conspiracism and populism, as both provide simple explanations for complex problems. Yet most studies have treated ‘crisis’ as a uniform concept, whether linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy, or migration, overlooking how different crises may resonate differently with citizens. We refine this understanding by analysing concerns across five domains: Covid-19, the climate crisis, the immigration emergency, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the energy crisis, assessing their distinctive effects on three facets of anti-establishment attitudes. Drawing on survey data from seven European countries, our findings reveal variation in perceptions of different crises and their associations with conspiracism and populism. Since not all crises are equally associated with the spread of anti-establishment attitudes, this nuanced analysis highlights the need for more tailored approaches to understanding crises and their political consequences.