Emotions And Politics, A Bad Mix

By Matthew Clark

I grew up in a political family. My paternal grandfather was a local politician in a rural area. My father was employed in the newspaper industry as an advertising salesman. In such a role he kept abreast of the news, often informing his family of inside information gleamed from the journalists who worked at the same newspaper(s) that employed him. At our dinner table history and politics far outweighed math and science, or even ice hockey or Canadian football.

In such a climate emotions often ran high as varied political views and observations were made from different members of my family. Often good taste was overstepped as one person or another sought to gain advantage in the debate raging around the supper table. After these highly charged moments dissipated a cooling down period commenced. We all quickly realized that none of us were above over enthusiastic political partisanship. The whole family would revert back to more amicable behaviour until the next incident occurred.

Looking back on these discussions, or arguements if you will, provides me with an important lesson to apply when involved in contempory politics of any capacity. Uncontrolled emotions were the enemy of us all back then, and so they are today! This, it can be argued, is not only true at the individual level yet it is valid for the entire political culture of North America as well.

Disagreement, criticism, and self criticism, are essential for the healthy practice of politics in any nation, or civilization. The ability to recognize mistakes and rectify those errors can only be realized in a culture that practices a high degree of scepticism. This fact is the foundation of free speech, free will, and free thought. Whether stated in the bible, of by John Locke during the Glorious Revolution, critical thinking is essential for good behaviour both on an individual or general public level.

Nevertheless when uncontrolled emotions are combined with criticism there is a high risk of venturing into pathology. For instance Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney might be a member of the World Economic Forum, yet that circumstance does not justify advocating for his incarceration, as has been argued in social media circles. Likewise President Trump does not deserved to be executed, again argued by social media participants, because he favours the adoption of widespread tariffs.

All the globes current inhabitants are living in a truly revolutionary age. Alvin Tofflers thesis that change in the future will geometrically accelerate appears to be a valid assessment of present circumstances. To handle that change morally all of us will need our wits about us. Yet in the current political atmosphere where lawmakers heighten emotion and outrage, the handling of change, or any other social challenge, is onerous at best, unachievable at worst. Strong emotions should be reserved to the domain of relationships with loved ones and the adoration of God. Every other area, especially politics, should stay in the realm of dispassion and disinterest. A tough act to accomplish, indeed one which I have often failed at, yet one that is now imperative!