faz.net
Political Consultant Advocates for Emotionally Engaged Democracy
Johannes Hillje, a political consultant, published a book advocating for a more emotionally engaged democratic process to counter populist movements that successfully use fear-based campaigns, contrasting with Luisa Neubauer's approach of using positive emotions in climate politics.
- How can democracies effectively counter the emotional manipulation employed by populist movements?
- Johannes Hillje, a political communication consultant, argues for a more emotionally engaged democracy to counter populist movements. His book, "Mehr Emotionen wagen," advocates for acknowledging the emotional dimension of public affairs.
- What are the potential benefits and risks of incorporating a wider spectrum of emotions into political discourse?
- Hillje's approach contrasts with Luisa Neubauer's suggestion to focus on positive emotions in climate politics. Both, however, recognize the importance of emotional engagement in political discourse, highlighting the success of fear-based campaigns by opposing sides.
- What long-term implications might arise from a more emotionally engaged democratic process, considering both positive and negative aspects?
- By embracing a broader range of emotions in political debate, Hillje suggests democracies can better address public concerns and regain trust. This approach could lead to more effective policies and a more resilient democratic system by counteracting the manipulative use of fear.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the article leans towards presenting the use of positive emotions in politics as a potentially effective counter-strategy to populist fear campaigns. The headline "Wut kann demokratisch sein" (Anger can be democratic) and the emphasis on Hillje's book suggest a positive view of emotional engagement in politics, which may overshadow alternative perspectives or potential downsides. The inclusion of Neubauer's suggestion reinforces this perspective.
Language Bias
The article uses relatively neutral language. However, the headline 'Anger can be democratic' might be considered subtly loaded, suggesting a specific political stance. The phrase "nackte Fakten" (naked facts) in relation to Neubauer's statement carries a connotation of insufficient depth or impact.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the use of emotions in politics, particularly anger and its potential for democratic engagement. However, it omits discussion of the potential downsides or manipulative uses of anger in political discourse. It also doesn't explore alternative emotional appeals beyond positivity and fear, limiting the scope of the analysis. This omission could lead to an incomplete understanding of the complexities involved.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a dichotomy between using positive emotions versus fear-mongering, neglecting the potential for other emotional appeals or a more nuanced approach to political communication. This simplifies the issue and might lead readers to believe that only these two extremes exist.
Gender Bias
The article does not exhibit overt gender bias in its selection of sources or language. However, a more detailed analysis would require examining the representation of genders throughout the cited texts and speeches.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the importance of incorporating emotions into democratic politics to counter populist movements and enhance the acceptance of policies like climate action. This directly relates to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. By advocating for a more emotionally intelligent approach to politics, the article contributes to building more inclusive and effective institutions and fostering peaceful dialogue, thereby supporting the goals of SDG 16.