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Fear and securitisation
Beáta Kovács
Itis not difficult to argue for the importance of emotions in politics in a period
that is described as populist or post-truth. When measurable and verifiable facts
become irrelevant, and people often rely on statements that felt true but have
no real (scientific) basis, we can safely say that the emotional dimension has
become quite prominent in recent years’ political practice. The ‘emotional turn’
of political science can be closely linked to the rise of fear to the political level
since 2001. In addition, the diversification of identities and the prominence
of identity politics have greatly contributed to this process. This chapter seeks
to show the potential connection points between (political) identity and fear
through the securitisation process. It is proven that the emotional dimension
plays an important role in identity formation and maintenance. I argue that
fear is a universal experience that in some way informs the identity of all and
can have political relevance as well.
Keywords: emotions in politics, politics of fear, identity, security, securitisation
It is not difficult to argue for the importance of emotions in politics in a period
that is described as populist or post-truth (Farkas and Schou 2020). When
measurable and verifiable facts become irrelevant, and people often rely on
statements which ‘felt’ true but have no real (scientific) basis, we can safely
say that the emotional dimension has become quite prominent in recent
years political practice.
Emotions are not just present in politics as a side effect. In fact, politics
can never be emotionless, as it is based on the clash of (political) values
(Szanto and Slaby 2020). Emotions not only episodically disrupt the world
of politics, but rather make an essential contribution to its functioning; for
example, they amplify political mobilisation, or exist embedded in political
institutions (Berezin 2002).
The ‘emotional turn of political science can be closely linked to the rise of
fear to the political level since 2001 (9/11). In addition, the diversification of
identities and the prominence of identity politics have greatly contributed to
this process (Kiss 2013). This chapter seeks to show the potential connection
points between (political) identity and fear through the securitisation process.