The Politics of Fear

Fear and Politics: An Interdisciplinary Discussion

This event explores the role fear plays in shaping political life, from its impact on public opinion and voter behaviour to its use as a tool of governance and resistance. Bringing together a journalist, philosopher, psychologist, and professor of American Literature, the discussion will examine how fear influences decision-making, challenges democratic norms, and intersects with broader societal dynamics.

Schedule: 
2PM - 2:45PM: Phil Tinline, "Consensus and Nightmare in British Politics"
2:45PM - 3:30PM: Sarah Churchwell, "'Fascism Must be Home Grown’: Revisiting the 'Brown Scare' and the Foundations of American Fascist Politics"
3:45 - 4:30PM: Manos Tsakiris, "Feeling the Body-Politic: Fear, Anger and Authoritarian Leaders"
4:30PM - 5:15PM: Jonathan Leader Maynard, "Fear and Extremism" 
5:30PM - 6PM: Panel

Speakers:

Phil Tinline is a British freelance writer and documentarian. He is the author of “The Death of Consensus: 100 Years of British Political Nightmares,” which was chosen as The Times (London)’s Politics Book of the Year. His next book, Ghosts of Iron Mountain, about America's political nightmares, is out in March.


Sarah Churchwell is Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities and Professor of American Literature at SAS. She is the director of the Being Human festival and the author of “Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream.”


Manos Tsakiris is Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London. He directs the interdisciplinary Centre for the Politics of Feelings, which is devoted to the interdisciplinary understanding of how emotions and feelings can be active causes but also targets of political behaviour.


Jonathan Leader Maynard is a Senior Lecturer in International Politics, and a Parliamentary Academic Fellow working for the International Affairs Unit of the UK House of Commons. He is author of “Ideology and Mass Killing: The Radicalized Security Politics of Genocides and Deadly Atrocities.”

*Early registration is recommended*


This event is offered free of charge by the Institute of Philosophy. 

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