Upskilling and stable employment key to combating political extremism

Ensuring that workers have secure jobs with upskilling opportunities will help combat the rise of political extremism in Europe, according to a major new study.

Companies also need to adopt a strategic approach to corporate decision-making, free from political pressure and other influences, the report claims.

Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University have analysed employment and industrial data from 29 countries as part of a £2.7 million UK Research and Innovation and EU-funded study into the drivers of extremism and the economic forces shaping modern labour markets.

A recent European Skills and Jobs Survey revealed that 38% of workers across Europe fear losing their jobs in the next year. This general sense of insecurity underscores the need for proactive measures to foster labour market stability and resilience.

Professor Umut Korkut, an expert in International Politics at Glasgow Caledonian and one of the authors, said: “Policymakers must recognise that labour market volatility, even if subjective, poses a serious threat to social and political stability.

“By fostering stable and secure employment conditions, we can counteract the narratives that lead to protectionist and extremist ideologies.”

The study calls on employers to foster a culture of continuous learning and upskilling among workers and for governments to invest in skills development.

Researchers analysed employment trends as part of the Horizon Europe and UKRI-funded OppAttune: Countering Oppositional Political Extremism Through Attuned Dialogue, which brings together 17 universities from 15 countries.

The Glasgow Caledonian research team comprised Professor Korkut, Thales Lima, Dr Thulai Moyo and Imoh Okoronkwo.

Complementing these findings, another report underscored that the fear of job loss and unemployment may create fertile ground for extremist ideologies.

Researchers explored the growing trend of reshoring—companies bringing production back to domestic markets—as a response to geopolitical risks and the rise of protectionist narratives.

Using advanced game theory modelling, the research analysed how protectionist narratives influence corporate decisions. The findings reveal that firms respond to unfavourable market conditions—such as rising populist politics and instability—by reshoring production despite the economic costs.

Professor Korkut added: “Our analysis shows that reshoring is not always a purely economic decision but is heavily influenced by market dynamics and political pressures.

“These shifts can disrupt global supply chains and contribute to labour market volatility. At the same time, they reflect the powerful role of protectionist narratives in shaping corporate behaviour.”