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The legal definition of the people

Populist uses of nationality legislation

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.2483

Keywords:

nation, nationality, nationalism, populism

Abstract

Populism is characterised by a discourse that contrasts the people with the elites and positions a leader or party as the representative of that people. In most populist discourses, the people is identified with the nation, defined in organic and cultural terms. This article considers the legal reforms proposed and implemented by populist leaders and parties to shape the legal bond of nationality based on their political conception of the nation. In this regard, it is possible to identify some recurring strategies, such as the restriction of jus soli, the imposition of stricter requirements for obtaining nationality through naturalisation, or the rejection of dual nationality.

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Author Biography

Fernando Arlettaz, Universidad de Zaragoza

Doctor en Sociología Jurídica e Instituciones Políticas. Investigador Ramón y Cajal en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Zaragoza. Miembro del Laboratorio de Sociología Jurídica de la Universidad de Zaragoza. Email: arlettaz@unizar.es

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Published

16-02-2026

How to Cite

Arlettaz, F. (2026) “The legal definition of the people: Populist uses of nationality legislation”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series. doi: 10.35295/osls.iisl.2483.

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