""Of all the forces weakening liberal democracy today," the political theorist William Galston writes, "its defenders' naïveté about human motivations may be the most dangerous." Galston's concern centers on what he calls the "dark passions"-captured by the title of his new book, Anger, Fear, Domination -and how they are fueling today's attacks on liberal democracy. "Rational self-interest does not always drive human events, the passions matter, and evil is real," Galston argues. "The dark side of our nature is here to stay.""
"The dark passions in America have been unleashed as well by Donald Trump, an accomplished demagogue. He is unlike anything America has faced before; he has made cruelty fashionable, and his rule is threatening the country's institutions, the rule of law, and liberal democracy itself. Of course, Trump isn't alone in stoking the dark passions; they aren't exclusive to any single political group, any single nation, any single religion. Hate, including lethal hate, doesn't respect borders or boundaries."
Defenders' naiveté about human motivations weakens liberal democracy by ignoring anger, fear, and domination. Passions and evil, not just rational self-interest, shape political events. Recent political violence and demagogic leadership demonstrate how cruelty and hatred can threaten institutions, the rule of law, and democratic norms. Dark passions cross party, national, and religious boundaries and can inhabit any group. A richer political psychology is needed beyond empathy and solidarity. Ameliorative policies, institutional reforms, and especially better speech that challenges darker impulses are essential to sustain liberal democratic aspirations.
Read at The Atlantic
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