Anger, Fear, Domination - Dark Passions and the Power of Political Speech

A renowned political theorist offers a road map to the dark forces that threaten democracy
 
Liberalism orients itself around the idea of self-interest tempered by reason, with the addition of civically useful emotions such as patriotism, self-sacrifice, and empathy. But the politics dominating much of the world shows that these ideals are not enough. William A. Galston argues that the defense of liberal democracy requires understanding the dark forces whose impact on political life liberal democratic institutions seek to mute: the emotions of fear, humiliation, anger, resentment, and hatred, and the drive to dominate. In hard or threatening times, it is these dark passions that most reliably persuade people and move them to action—whether voting or violence.
 
Throughout the democratic world, these institutional defenses are now being tested by a new generation of demagogues. With a keen awareness of the stakes, Galston explains why countering this dangerous development requires not only more responsive public policies but persuasive rhetoric and a realistic conception of political psychology—one that is free of the illusion that reason or affirmative sentiments such as empathy, solidarity, and love can reliably dominate public affairs.

About the author

William A. Galston

Product details

• Authors: William A. Galston, Galston William A.
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 28.10.2025
• EAN: 9780300282290
• ISBN: 978-0-300-28229-0
• No. of pages: 176
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Human Rights, PHILOSOPHY / Political, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civil Rights, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Political structures: democracy, Political campaigning & advertising, Political campaigning and advertising, Civil rights & citizenship, Human rights, civil rights, Elections & referenda, Elections and referenda / suffrage