The Politics of Feeling in Brexit Britain: Stories from the Mass Observation Project

During Brexit, political questions were framed in emotional terms, with the Leave vote seen as the triumph of passion over rationality. This book examines how these stories about feelings shaped public experiences and determined political possibilities, highlighting a dangerous contradiction whereby feelings were simultaneously understood as dangerous and illegitimate.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: Manchester University Press

During the Brexit era, political discourse frequently resorted to emotional framing, casting the referendum as a clash between rationality and resentment, fear, and hope. The Leave vote was perceived as a victory of passion over reason, raising concerns about the divisive influence of emotions on political culture. This book delves into how these narratives about feelings shaped public perceptions and influenced political outcomes.

The book employs firsthand accounts to examine how individuals grappled with their own feelings about the referendum and how they responded to the emotions of others. It reveals how they drew upon public narratives while also challenging and reinterpreting them. The authors underscore a concerning paradox where feelings were simultaneously perceived as dangerous and illegitimate, yet also regarded as an authentic expression of our inner selves. This paradox had its own political ramifications.

Through its exploration of the politics of feeling, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between emotions, public discourse, and political decision-making. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and navigating the emotional dimensions of contemporary politics to promote greater empathy, understanding, and cohesion among diverse communities.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 238 x 443 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526152510