Overcoming the Politics of Fear and the Role of Liberal Education in the Filipino Youth’s Formation of Political Emotion

Abstract

Emotion is seen as an uncritical force that can bring detriment in shaping the political terrain of the land. Historically, emotions are seen as negative political vectors that promote uncritical and unthinking culture among the citizens of a given political community. The Philippines as a country has its dilemma when it comes to nurturing negative emotions of some kind; what is rampant in its political landscape is the negative emotions of fear, shame, and disgust.

The danger of sustaining negative emotions can be present in the political atmosphere of many societies around the world. Its detriment is extended to the formation of political emotion among the younger generations. This study intends to pay serious attention to the possibility of redirecting the political emotions of the youth into the formation of positive kinds through a careful analysis of the potential role of liberal education. Our current approaches to civic education do not yet account for the emotional basis of citizenship that will generate the formation of a positive political culture.

Eliminating negative emotions requires a sensible analysis of the factors that contribute to its polarized direction. We live in a time where the generation of politics of fear is rampant among civic leaders. Negative emotion in our political sphere needs to be addressed by cultivating a culture of emotion characterized by compassion and care. Thus, this study sees it imperative to inculcate positivity among the youths at present to better shape the future of our country’s political culture.