Introduction: Contemporary counter-movements in the age of Brexit and Trump

Brexit and the election of President Trump in the United States are the result of the rise of far-right, populist movements which can be observed in Europe, North America and other regions of the world. Whereas populism itself is one response to neo-liberalism, globalisation and austerity measures, the election of Trump in particular has caused a new wave of protest. To a far lesser extent, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the European Union in March 2017, people in the UK and many European countries participated in a March for Europe. These demonstrations represent counter-movements to the growing presence of right-wing, anti-immigrant, racist, nationalist and anti-Muslim movements throughout Europe and the United States. This rapid response issue surveys right-wing populist and left-liberal counter-movements which represent different responses to neo-liberalism, globalisation, austerity and to each other. Social movements reflect and contribute to social change and need to be understood from an intersectional perspective. Networked media play a role for both populist movements from the right and for progressive counter-movements