Affective polarisation
An extract (in my translation and with my added emphasis) from a French blog post by London-based political scientist Philippe Marlière:
Polarization and radicality
Polarization is not synonymous with radicalism, but with negative conflictuality . Radicality (from the Latin radix , the root) is a process of profound transformation of social structures. It is a positive conflict that is very often left-wing, like the revolutionaries who overthrew the Ancien Régime in 1789. Polarization, a discursive phenomenon, is an area which on the contrary favors conservatism, sexism or racism.
Affective polarization affects people accustomed to examining social facts in a critical and nuanced way. A political scientist known for his rigorous scientific work describes Macronian France as a Hungarian-style “ illiberal democracy ”, a philosopher sees in the health pass an entry into the “ society of control ”, or a rebellious MP chronicles in a book his “ hatred and his visceral rejection ” of President Macron. These hair-raising and personalized critiques open the door to conspiracy theories. These explain political dysfunctions based on evil manipulations, reinforce confusion with the overlap between left, right and extreme right narratives , and encourage a relationship to the Manichean and campist world (the forces of Good vs. those of Evil ). Instead of criticizing structures (capitalism), they focus on supposed “bad guys”. Affective polarization blurs ideological markers and creates bridges towards the extreme right. Because by fueling conspiracy theories, confusionism and campism, polarization marries the natural environment of the extreme right.
In an increasingly incoherent political system, in which a government without a majority passes laws through article 49.3 , is it not legitimate to let one's anger explode and to be polarized? We can indeed be, but keeping in mind that a polarized climate encourages demagogues and extremists. What to do ? Bet on a didactic and collective opposition; work patiently to bring together all the forces of emancipation, reformist and radical, and resist verbal escalation. Anger and resentment are often not good advisors, especially when you have the ambition to change the world.
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