Avital Sicron & Eva Illouz 
The Emotional Life of Populism 
How Fear, Disgust, Resentment, and Love Undermine Democracy

Throughout the world, democracy is under assault from various populist movements and ideologies. And, throughout the world, the same enigma: why is it that political figures or governments, who have no qualms about aggravating social inequalities, enjoy the support of those whom their ideas and policies affect and hurt the most?

To make sense of this enigma, the sociologist Eva Illouz argues that we must understand the crucial role that emotions play in our political life. Taking the case of Israel as her prime example, she shows that populist politics rest on four key emotions: fear, disgust, resentment, and love for one’s country. It is the combination of these four emotions and their relentless presence in the political arena that nourishes and underpins the rise and persistence of populism both in Israel and in many other countries around the world.

This highly original perspective on the rise of populism will be of interest to anyone who wishes to understand the key political developments of our time.

Table of Content

Introduction: The Worm Inside the Apple

Chapter 1: Securitist Democracy and Fear

Chapter 2: Disgust Entrepreneurs

Chapter 3: Resentment or the Hidden Eros of Nationalist Populism

Chapter 4: National Pride and the New Politics of Class

Conclusion: The Emotions of the Decent Society

About the author

Eva Illouz is Directrice d’Etudes at the EHESS in Paris and Rose Isaac Chair of Sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.