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Shepelevich V.A. The emotional aspect in politics. Journal of Social Policy, Population Preservation and Reproductivity. 2025; 4(4). Available at: https://spnjournal.ru/PDF/05SPN425.pdf (in Russian).

The emotional aspect in politics

Shepelevich Victoria Andreevna
State University of Education, Moscow, Russia
E-mail: viktoriashepelevich1@gmail.com

Academic adviser: Leskova Irina Valerievna

Abstract. Emotions are an integral part of the political process; they cannot be ignored or suppressed. However, emotions have long been viewed as an obstacle to rational politics. However, in recent decades, emotions have come to be recognized as a central element of politics. This study analyzes the dual role of emotions in the political process: their destructive (polarization, violence) and constructive (solidarity, innovation) potential. The article demonstrates how understanding this duality and the tools for managing emotions (emotional leadership, deliberative practices) allows for a more accurate analysis of current political processes, forecasting their development, and building sustainable connections between politicians and voters. The relevance of this work is determined both by social crises that exacerbate emotional tensions and by the insufficient study of this approach in political science. It is emphasized that ignoring the emotional dimension of politics leads to a gap between the government and society, increasing mistrust and destabilization. Conversely, integrating emotions into political analysis and practice allows for the creation of more resilient, just, and humane societies. It concludes that the future of democracy depends largely on whether society can learn to transform anger into justice, fear into responsibility, and hope into action. Therefore, the importance of emotions in both everyday life and the political process will only increase over time. Moreover, political leaders play a decisive role in shaping the emotional climate of society.

Keywords: emotions in politics; political affect; political psychology; emotional leadership; political discourse; destructive emotions (anger; fear); positive emotions (hope; empathy); political polarization; civic participation; deliberative democracy

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