This study investigates how ressentiment—an emotional state characterised by persistent bitterness, hostility and frustration arising from perceived political powerlessness and injustice—shapes citizens’ political attitudes. Ressentiment is proposed as a critical factor underlying contemporary grievance politics, particularly in understanding the rise of populist sentiment. In two cross-sectional studies (Study 1: UK, N = 300; Study 2: USA, N = 298), higher levels of ressentiment predict stronger populist attitudes. Mediation analyses further suggest that the influence of ressentiment on populism operates through a rejection of the existing political order. Subsequently, a pre-registered experiment (Study 3: USA, N = 300) demonstrates that participants exposed to a vignette designed to elicit ressentiment report significantly greater support for populist policies compared to a control group. Collectively, these findings highlight the central importance of ressentiment in understanding the emotional foundations of populist support.
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