The politics of place: the geographical foundations of support for Populist Radical Parties in Spain
- Autores: Álvaro Sánchez García
- Directores de la Tesis: Iván Llamazares Valduvieco (dir. tes.), Guillermo Boscán Carrasquero (codir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universidad de Salamanca ( España ) en 2025
- Idioma: español
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Pedro Riera Sagrera (presid.), Carolina Plaza Colodro (secret.), Stuart J. Turnbull Dugarte (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Estado de Derecho y Gobernanza Global por la Universidad de Salamanca
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- Resumen
This doctoral dissertation investigates the geographical foundations of electoral support for populist radical parties (PRPs) in Spain, focusing on Podemos and Vox. It seeks to understand how spatial and contextual dynamics shape the conditions under which these parties attract support. Drawing on a combination of theoretical insights from political geography and empirical political science, the thesis analyses key territorial phenomena such as depopulation, housing affordability, and unemployment. Methodologically, it adopts an ecological approach, employing original datasets and statistical models at varying spatial scalesfrom municipalities to census tracts.
The research examines the role of geography in two complementary ways. First, it treats space as a framework that structures the effect of contextual variables on voting behaviour. Second, it analyses how specific spatial processessuch as demographic decline or the transformation of urban housing markets interact with political preferences. By doing so, the thesis offers an integrated account of the territorial dynamics of support for both left- and right-wing populism.
The findings show that demographic and economic grievances follow distinct spatial logics. Moderate depopulation tends to favour mainstream conservative parties, while extreme population decline shifts support toward the radical right. Vox performs well in both urban areas and rural municipalities most affected by depopulation. Conversely, Podemos receives greater support in urban areas marked by high unemployment and housing stress, but is significantly weaker in depopulated and ageing territories.
In contrast to prevailing assumptions about PRPs as expressions of economic exclusion, the Spanish case reveals a more complex geography of discontent. This thesis contributes to the understanding of how place-based dynamics condition the success of emerging parties, and offers a framework for analysing the territorial dimensions of political change in contemporary democracies.
