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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.
