In a globalized world and a network society, people are connected beyond the borders of their home country. The role of the nation state is losing its significance and most people are becoming more global-minded. Therefore, it is interesting to explore to what degree politics in a globalized world can be patriotic without discriminating others or expressing nationalistic and xenophobic views. While most people are encouraging global integration and respect different cultures melting together, some people feel differently. With the rise of globalization and cultures developing beyond restricted geographic borders, populist movements have also risen. This is for example visible in Europe. The European Union has been growing over the past decades, but so have nationalistic parties. This development is increasingly polarizing European politics and splitting society.
This essay aims to give an insight on the formation of populist parties from a psychosocial perspective. The psychosocial approach is combining the complexity of a psychological and sociological analysis.
“Psychosocial research draws inspiration from a range of sources including sociology, psychoanalysis, critical psychology, critical theory, post-structuralism, process philosophy, feminism, post-colonial theory, queer theory and affect theory” (Association for Psychosocial Studies 2018).
By analyzing how an emotion such as hatred is triggered and influences a person’s perception, one aspect of the rise of populist parties can be explained. Another important aspect of understanding the rise of populist parties in Europe is the sociological aspect. It explains what happens when multiple individuals get together who all feel the same way about something.
The findings of the psychosocial analysis will then be applied to a political context: Can politics in a globalized world be patriotic or is patriotism in politics always equal to nationalism?
To answer this research question, a case study on the German political party “Alternative for Germany” will be conducted. In this case study, posters of the party will be analyzed to point out the difference between the portrayed and the subliminal meaning. By pointing out how this party uses patriotic images to promote nationalistic views, it will be possible to provide a better understanding of the problem and to find an answer to the research question.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Emotions
2.1 Types of Emotions
2.2 Hatred
2.2.1 Psychological Aspects of Hatred
2.2.2 Sociological Aspects of Hatred
3 Nationalism
4 Patriotism
5 Populism
6 Case Study
6.1 Social Context
6.2 Analysis of posters
6.3 Interpretation of findings from a psychosocial perspective
7 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the intersection of patriotism, nationalism, and emotional discourse within modern politics, specifically focusing on how right-wing populist movements utilize these concepts to influence public perception. By applying a psychosocial framework, the study investigates whether patriotic symbols in political communication are used to promote nationalist and exclusionary ideologies.
- The differentiation between patriotism and nationalism in a globalized society.
- Psychosocial and sociological foundations of human emotions like hatred and anxiety.
- The role of populism in shaping political narratives and group identities.
- A qualitative case study analysis of "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) political posters.
- Evaluation of how patriotic symbolism affects social polarization and xenophobia.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Psychological Aspects of Hatred
Hatred is a powerful emotion (Jasper 2006.). According to Melanie Klein, an Austrian psychoanalyst who extended Sigmund Freud’s research and focused on child-development, love and hatred are the basis of human existence. Psychoanalysis has its origins in the clinical field where Freud treated patients with hysteria by using hypnosis (Ahmed 2011). “Psychoanalysis is a lived emotional experience” (Ogden 2004, p.1). Hence, the dialog between the patient and the analyst is the foundation of psychoanalysis. Many mental disorders are consequences of childhood experiences and unresolved conflicts. Therefore, psychoanalysis aims to help the patient find the cause and cure it (Times 2000). The interpretation of dreams and unconscious mind are also important aspects of psychoanalysis.
Referring to Jacques Lacan, a French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, who is among others known for his concepts of the unconscious in language as well as the concept of mirroring, people have a desire for ‘the other’ (Minsky 1998). This desire is expressed in the need for recognition as well as a constant thrive to become like ‘the other’ – a better and much more perfect version of oneself. Research has also found that the real cause for hatred most often is the ‘other’. Idealizing ‘the other’ version of ourselves can also be dangerous and lead to frustration and envy when the idealized version is impossible to obtain. Consequently, people project their feelings onto ‘the other’ in order to cope with the frustration. Envy, according to Klein (1957), expresses a desire to destroy the good, which over time can turn into hate for the other. This experience first appears in early childhood development. Klein describes this process as the transition into the depressive position. The child’s emotions alternate constantly between loving the mother and hating her. While experiencing hate, the child has a desire to destroy the mother (Alford 2006). This feeling is caused by the first experiences of relating to and depending on to the mother (Minsky 1998). Freud described this as “an ego state that wishes to destroy the source of its unhappiness” (Freud 1915, p.138).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the research goal of exploring the boundaries between patriotism and nationalism within globalized politics and introduces the psychosocial framework used.
2 Emotions: The chapter categorizes human emotions and provides a deep dive into the psychological and sociological drivers of hatred.
3 Nationalism: This section defines nationalism as a defensive identity-based construct, often linked to historical crises and the invention of imagined communities.
4 Patriotism: The author distinguishes patriotism from nationalism, highlighting the difference between constructive pride and blind, authoritarian nationalism.
5 Populism: This chapter analyzes how populist movements exploit emotional discourse and "us versus them" narratives to gain political influence.
6 Case Study: Through an analysis of AfD political posters, the author demonstrates how patriotic symbols are repurposed to convey xenophobic and nationalist messages.
7 Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of patriotic symbols in German politics is often instrumentalized for nationalist agendas, suggesting a need for more cautious political communication.
Keywords
Psychosocial analysis, Patriotism, Nationalism, Populism, AfD, Group identity, Hatred, Political communication, Xenophobia, Social polarization, Emotional discourse, Identity politics, Germany, Collective identity, Symbolic politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core research question of this study?
The study explores whether politics in a globalized world can remain genuinely patriotic without sliding into nationalism, specifically investigating how patriotic symbols are used in political campaigns.
What is the primary scientific approach used?
The work employs a psychosocial approach, combining clinical psychology, psychoanalytic theory, and sociological analysis to understand how emotions influence political identification.
Which political entity is used as a case study?
The German political party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) serves as the primary case study for examining the strategic use of political posters and slogans.
How does the author define the difference between patriotism and nationalism?
Patriotism is framed as a constructive pride or attachment to one's country, whereas nationalism is described as an exclusionary, often aggressive stance that idealizes the nation and defines others as enemies.
What role does hatred play in political movements?
According to the text, hatred acts as a tool to bind in-groups together by projecting unresolved anxieties and frustrations onto an externalized "other" or enemy.
Why is the "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) significant to this study?
The AfD is studied because its rapid rise and use of controversial, symbolic imagery provide a clear example of how right-wing movements leverage nationalist themes to attract voters in times of social uncertainty.
What did the analysis of the AfD posters reveal?
The analysis showed that the posters utilize traditional symbols—such as the German flag—to push a nationalist, anti-immigrant agenda, often framing traditional German culture as being under threat.
How does the concept of "splitting" explain the behavior of voters?
The paper applies the psychosocial concept of splitting, suggesting that supporters project their internal anxieties onto outsiders (immigrants, refugees), which helps them maintain a sense of security within their own group.
- Quote paper
- Michelle Trauth (Author), 2018, Can politics in a globalized world be patriotic or is patriotism in politics always equal to nationalism?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/444374
