Research Interests

• Political Leadership and Followership
• Populism
• Political Parties and Movements

Selected Publications

Illés G, Körösényi A and Metz R (2018) Broadening the limits of reconstructive leadership: Constructivist elements of Viktor Orbán’s regime-building politics. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations 20(4): 790–808.

Körösényi A, Illés G and Metz R (2016) Contingency and Political Action: The Role of Leadership in Endogenously Created Crises. Politics and Governance 4(2): 91–103.

Metz R (2015) Movement Entrepreneurship of an Incumbent Party. The Story of the Hungarian Incumbent Party Fidesz and the Civil Cooperation Forum. Intersections. East European Journal of Society and Politics 1(3): 81-100.;

Metz R (2021) Democratic leadership as a political weapon: competition between fictions and practices. International Journal of Public Leadership 17(4): 313–324.

Metz R (2021) The missing link: Studying political leadership from the followers’ perspective. Politics online first.

Metz R and Oross D (2020) Strong Personalities’ Impact on Hungarian Party Politics: Viktor Orbán and Gábor Vona. In: Gherghina S (ed.) Party Leaders in Eastern Europe: Personality, Behavior, and Consequences Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 145–170.

Metz R and Kövesdi V (2023) ‘Whoever is not against us is for us’ sectarianization of politics in Hungary. Politics, Religion & Ideology 24(4). Routledge: 521–542.

Metz R and Plesz B (2023) An insatiable hunger for charisma? A follower-centric analysis of populism and charismatic leadership. Leadership 4(19): 318-338.

Metz R and Várnagy R (2021) “Mass,” “Movement,” “Personal,” or “Cartel” Party? Fidesz’s Hybrid Organisational Strategy. Politics and Governance 9(4). 4: 317–328.

Wineroither DM and Metz R (2021) A Tale of Odds and Ratios: Political Preference Formation in Postindustrial Democracies. Politische Vierteljahresschrift 62(3): 519–541.

Research Projects

Populist Leaders in the Eyes of their Followers. Follower-Centric Explanation and Examination of Contemporary Populist Politics

Research period: 01. 12. 2020 - 31. 11. 2022

NKFIH project number: PD 134685

What makes political leaders strong? Impression formation, impression management, and identity politics

Research period: 01. 01. 2024 - 31. 12. 2027

NKFIH project number: FK 146569