About this Research Topic
Since the Enlightenment, the main emphasis has been placed on the role of reason; emotions have become an intellectually neglected topic. As modern social sciences emerged out of the Enlightenment, this neglect, while very problematic, is not surprising. Emotions have been labeled as epistemically unreliable and distortive inputs preventing people from making adequate – and correct – decisions in the sphere of politics. The notion of a rational agent who deliberately weighs pros and cons has taken over in the sphere of politics. However, history, as well as recent events, have shown that emotions are indeed inherently present in politics, and if they are not seriously reckoned with, there is a high probability of their misuse for the benefit of those who want to destroy the liberal democratic political order.
The main aspect that this Research Topic aims to address is the fiction of independent reason and the presumption that people are agents who act rationally and reasonably in the sphere of politics. Consequently, the Topic has several general objectives. First, it aims to elaborate on the role of emotions in politics from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Specifically, it aims to trace the development of the view of emotions in politics and to consider how their role has changed throughout history. The Topic also strives to theoretically and empirically reflect the relationship between reason and emotions and how they together determine the character of the political sphere. In particular, it aims to capture situations in which people acted rationally or irrationally (emotionally) and explain why. Last but not least, the issue aims to discuss the role of emotions in a liberal democratic political order. Specifically, with regard to current political trends in liberal democratic countries, the Topic wants to discuss how emotions influence voter behavior and the character of political participation in general. What role do reason and emotions play in political participation? And how should emotions ideally be processed by both citizens and political institutions in order to maintain liberal democracy?
The Research Topic is interested in both theoretical and empirical treatises and discussion papers addressing the role of emotions in politics. It seeks to provide readers with an interdisciplinary approach to the theme; its aim is therefore to gather contributions from a wide range of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities. The editors of the Topic are particularly interested in studies reflecting the given topic from the perspective of political science, philosophy, and history. Specifically, topics addressing the historical development of the role of emotions in politics, the relationship between reason and emotions in the political sphere, and the role of emotions in a liberal democracy are welcome.
The main aspect that this Research Topic aims to address is the fiction of independent reason and the presumption that people are agents who act rationally and reasonably in the sphere of politics. Consequently, the Topic has several general objectives. First, it aims to elaborate on the role of emotions in politics from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Specifically, it aims to trace the development of the view of emotions in politics and to consider how their role has changed throughout history. The Topic also strives to theoretically and empirically reflect the relationship between reason and emotions and how they together determine the character of the political sphere. In particular, it aims to capture situations in which people acted rationally or irrationally (emotionally) and explain why. Last but not least, the issue aims to discuss the role of emotions in a liberal democratic political order. Specifically, with regard to current political trends in liberal democratic countries, the Topic wants to discuss how emotions influence voter behavior and the character of political participation in general. What role do reason and emotions play in political participation? And how should emotions ideally be processed by both citizens and political institutions in order to maintain liberal democracy?
The Research Topic is interested in both theoretical and empirical treatises and discussion papers addressing the role of emotions in politics. It seeks to provide readers with an interdisciplinary approach to the theme; its aim is therefore to gather contributions from a wide range of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities. The editors of the Topic are particularly interested in studies reflecting the given topic from the perspective of political science, philosophy, and history. Specifically, topics addressing the historical development of the role of emotions in politics, the relationship between reason and emotions in the political sphere, and the role of emotions in a liberal democracy are welcome.
Keywords: Emotions, Reason, Affective Turn, Liberal Democracy, Populism
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