Populism, Religion, and Nationalism in Asia: Analyzing Muslim Majorities and Minorities

Ahmet T. Kuru is Professor of Political Science and the Director of Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies at San Diego State University. Historically, religion and nationalism often stood in opposition, particularly in the context of modern, secular nation-building. In recent years, however, there has been a growing convergence between religious and nationalist forces as part of the rising populist movements worldwide. In Asia, this alliance is evident in Muslim-majority such as Malaysia, where Islamists regard populist-nationalist policies as serving their conservative agendas. Nonetheless, these policies target Muslim minorities in many countries, including China, India, and Myanmar. Across both Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts, the entrenchment of religion, nationalism, and populism erodes the principle of equal citizenship and exacerbates pressures on minorities.