A Negative Radical Right Populism: The (Absence of a) Shared Identity Among Milei’s Supporters

Abstract

This article unpacks the surprising rise of Javier Milei in Argentina by examining the dynamics of support among his early electorate. While populism and populist radical right (PRR) theories often assume a degree of ideological cohesion within a leader´s base, our focus group study reveals a different story: Milei´s support is overwhelmingly forged by a potent blend of charismatic negativity and a shared, visceral rejection of the political establishment, rather than a consistent embrace of his specific libertarian-radical right agenda. Through intensive qualitative inquiry among voters who backed Milei in the primary and first-round elections across his electoral strongholds, we demonstrate significant programmatic and ideological heterogeneity. Supporters frequently reinterpreted Milei´s radical proposals—on issues from educational vouchers to the role of the state—to align with their own desires for fairness or better services, rather than adopting his prescribed doctrine. This demand-side reinterpretation highlights a crucial mechanism of contemporary populist appeal: charismatic leaders´ capacity to mobilize diverse electorates through shared disaffection, even in the absence of profound ideological unity. Milei´s case thus compels a re-evaluation of how PRR movements consolidate power, suggesting that programmatic alignment may be less a prerequisite for populist success than previously assumed, yielding instead to the powerful unifying force of a compelling anti-establishment persona.