Homo Emotionalis : On the Systematization of Emotions in Politics

In this book, important works and approaches of policy-oriented emotion research are brought into a systematic context. For this purpose, three different types of emotions are elaborated, which in their totality constitute Homo Emotionalis: binary emotions, basic emotions, reflexive emotions. They correspond to individual-psychological stages of development, but are also relevant in the social and political handling of emotions. The interplay of emotion types and social constellations leads to different modes of political action, which shape different forms of emotional politics. In each case, individual logics emerge along which emotional politics is pursued. With its interdisciplinary focus, this volume is aimed at political scientists, anthropologists, sociologists and social psychologists. Preliminary remarks and acknowledgements.- Introduction.- First approach: normative vs. utility-oriented approaches to emotions.- The social dimension of emotions: homo emotionalis.- Emotions and political action.- Summary: towards a dynamic conception of political emotions. Dr. Timm Beichelt is Professor of European Studies at the Faculty of Cultural Studies of the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany.