Affect and Politics

Affect refers to the feelings and emotional responses people have toward experiences, ideas, or events. Politics involves the ways societies organize power and make collective decisions. The relationship between affect and politics highlights how emotions influence political attitudes, voting behavior, and social movements—people often support or oppose policies based on emotional reactions rather than just logical reasoning. Recognizing this connection helps explain phenomena like political polarization, passionate protests, or the emotional appeal of leaders, emphasizing that feelings play a crucial role in shaping political landscapes and public opinion.