Date on Senior Honors Thesis

5-2025

Document Type

Senior Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.S.

Department

Political Science

Committee Chair

David Buckley

Author's Keywords

populism; religion; democracy; politics; spain; secularism; identarian christian

Abstract

This thesis examines the intersection of populism and religious rhetoric in Spain’s right-wing political party, Vox. By analyzing Facebook posts from Vox’s national and regional accounts in the months leading up to the 2019 and 2023 national elections, as well as key regional elections in Andalusia and Cantabria, this study explores how the party strategically employs religious themes to shape its populist discourse. The findings indicate that Vox primarily uses religious rhetoric to construct an exclusive national identity, framing perceived external threats such as immigration, secularism, and leftist politics. While the party's use of religious rhetoric declined slightly between 2019 and 2023, its messaging remains heavily focused on out-group opposition rather than in-group religious affirmation. Additionally, the study finds that Vox adapts its rhetoric based on regional religious demographics, emphasizing Christian identity more in traditionally Catholic regions while focusing on nationalism in secular areas. By situating these findings within broader discussions on right-wing populism and democracy, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how religious rhetoric functions as a tool for political mobilization in contemporary Spain.

Lay Summary

This thesis explores how Spain’s far-right party Vox uses religion in its political messaging. By analyzing Facebook posts from national and regional accounts before recent elections, the study shows that Vox uses Christian language not to promote faith, but to define who belongs, and who doesn’t, in Spanish society. The party focuses more on attacking perceived threats like immigrants, feminists, and left-wing parties than on celebrating religious values. Vox also tailors its message depending on the region, emphasizing religion more in Catholic areas and nationalism in more secular ones. This research reveals how religion is used as a political tool to shape identity and build support.

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