Anger, Fear, Domination

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 ironically 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 actionwhether voting or rioting. Throughout the democratic world, these institutional defenses are now being tested by a new generation of demagogues. With a keen awareness of the stakes at hand, Galston explains why countering this dangerous development requires not only more responsive public policies but also persuasive rhetoric and a realistic conception of political psychologyone that is free of the illusion that reason or affirmative sentiments such as empathy, solidarity, and love can dominate public affairs.