The Political Sociology of Emotions: Essays on Trauma and Ressentiment

The Political Sociology of Emotions is a sub-field of emotions sociology that explores the political implications of emotions, such as trauma and ressentiment. It argues that these emotions are fundamental experiences of late modern times and that understanding them is essential for making the prospects of democracy and republicanism in the twenty-first century more intelligible.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Political Sociology of Emotions emerges as a vibrant sub-field within the realm of emotions sociology, intricately interconnected with cognate disciplines and sub-disciplines. It goes beyond the mere reduction of politics to affectivity, seamlessly integrating political sociology with the emotive lens applied to its traditional and contemporary research areas. In the face of the global ascendance of affective anti-politics, encompassing phenomena such as the securitization of immigration policies, reactionism, terrorism, competitive authoritarianism, nationalism, and populism, the significance of the political sociology of emotions becomes paramount in deciphering the prospects of democracy and republicanism in the twenty-first century.

Through a weak constructionist theoretical framework, this book showcases the immense utility of this emerging sub-field by delving into two central themes: trauma and ressentiment. Trauma, recognized as a pivotal cultural-political phenomenon of our times, elicits a spectrum of negative and positive emotions. Ressentiment, on the other hand, pertains to individual and collective political emotions rooted in insecurities and moral injuries. Together, these fundamental experiences shape the landscape of late modern times.

The profound value of the political sociology of emotions becomes evident through its insightful analysis of civil wars, cultural traumas, the politics of pity, the plight of distant others portrayed in the media, populism, and national identities on both sides of the Atlantic. By unraveling the emotional dynamics at play, this field sheds light on the complex interplay between politics, society, and the human psyche, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary social phenomena.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367515720